Introducing 10 week chicks to the flock

[Kerio]

I've got two 10 week old chicks and momma that I want to introduce back into the flock. While I've got no problems that they'll be fine with the other hens, my issue is food.

At the moment, I feed the flock layer pellets and corn and the chicks growers pellets. However when I merge them, I have no way of stopping the chicks from eating the layer pellets.

How do you guys get around this? I don't want to keep them apart for much longer.

 

[SIMZ]

I usually switch everyone over to a general poultry feed (like a Flockraiser type feed) when I have a mixed aged flock. Otherwise, the hens make it their mission to devour any food that is different from theirs.

I've also seen where some people make a special feeder surrounded by fencing that only the babies can get through. That's also an option.

 

[sylviethecochin]

As @SIMZ said, a crepe feeder is an option. Flip over an old tub (we've used old mineral tubs in the past) punch some holes in it so that smaller chcickens can get through, and stick a feeder in the middle. It won't matter if the chicks eat some layer pellets.

 

[debid]

At 10 weeks, they are really too big for a creep feeder. I'd just buy an all-flock or unmedicated chick feed and a sack of oyster shell. Put the shell in a separate hopper or dish so the hens can supplement for calcium. They seem to know when to take it. In fact, many breeders never feed "layer" but prefer feed with an 18-22% protein content and lower calcium for their non-laying roosters.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree with Debid. I practically always have younger chicks in my flock. The entire flock gets what the chicks should be eating with oyster shell on the side.

I can't keep my very young chicks out of the adults food. By two weeks old they are flying up to eat it. Just offer them all the same thing with oyster shell on the side and the problem is solved.

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed, when I am anticipating chicks, I use up the last of my layer feed, and then the whole flock gets switched over to starter or multi-flock. After my chicks get their cluck, I then switch back to layer. This is a bone of contention for many. Lots of folks simply keep their flocks on multi flock year round. do your homework, and then decide if you ever want to use layer, or instead go the route of full time multi-flock with OS on the side.