Lots of Questions! NEED HELP!

[snyder11]

How often do I need to change the litter in my brooder? Also I replace the water daily sometimes twice a day(is that enough?), but what about there food? I am feeding them Chick Starter 18% Medicated. Do I need to clean this out? I sweep of any pine shaving that get into there food, but do I need to take it out clean it? If so, how? Is this the correct food to be feeding them? They are about a week old. When do I switch to layer feed? When do I start using scratch? What about grit? At what age will they start laying eggs? How long is there laying age? The are Black Aussie's

 

[jeepguy982001]

Umm where to start the chick feed is fine thats what I gave mine. I think most people switch to layer feed at around egg laying age which is usually around 5 months depending on the breed. Yes you do need to make sure to keep the feeders and waters clean. I usually did mine twice a day, but everyones different. As far as the bedding i guess that depends on how many chicks you have. I only had 4 so they weren't too bad so i just added pine shavings when i could smell the poop. Hope this helps but you'll never find an exact answer to your questions since everybody does things differently.

 

[snyder11]

Thanks for the advice. Will take it into consideration.

 

[Fierlin1182]

1. Litter in brooder: we changed every day. Our brooder was small, and the chicks used to do it up pretty bad. Just make sure they're not sleeping in poop and they're not going to tread in it every time they take a step.
2. Water: Change that every day. The chickens will drink dirty water if they're thirsty and it's there, but I can't imagine it's good for them.
3. Your feed sounds fine. You don't need to clean the feeder completely unless there's poo in it, just give it a quick wipe down. (although more than likely they will get poo in it)
4. Layer feed: switch to this just before they start laying, 4 months-ish was when ours started. Chickens usually lay for about five years or more (I'm not sure on this one) but they lay most efficiently in the first two years.
5. Scratch and grit: grit needs to be given to the chicks as soon as you start feeding them treats. If they're just eating their feed, no need. As for scratch, you can give that, but not too much as you want them eating their feed too.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[RonC]

Try elevating or hanging their food/water to keep bedding and poop out. Should be about the level of their back so they can still reach it. The feeder needs to be cleaned daily and the food will leave a dust that accumulates they will not eat. I wouldn't give them scratch till they are much older, best they eat their food first. Changing the bedding depends on the size of the brooder.I had a large brooder and put a good base about 2-3 inches and daily stirred it so the poop was covered and dried up, adding a little at a time. It will last for a couple of weeks before you have to change it out but then again my brooder was large enough they were happy in it till they went outside.

 

[sadies0111]

I agree with the previous answers, but you forgot to mention oyster shell, which needs to be provided around egg laying time as well. Enjoy your babies!