Mixed feed needs

[weirdmuse]

Ok, so I decided to let nature take it's course and let my broody Marans set a clutch of eggs. Well she hatched out 3 great little fluff balls. I have them in a separate coop away from the other chickens. But I'm not sure what I should be feeding them. I have chick starter for the wee ones and the layer mash for mom but I assume that mom shouldn't have the starter and the chicks shouldn't have the layer mash. Is there a happy medium I should be going for or is there some way to make sure each gets the proper food?

 

[purecountrychicken]

Only way I know of is to seperate the chicks from mom. Mom needs layer and chicks need starter/grower. Unless somebody has a better idea,,,I would seperate them.

 

[weirdmuse]

I thought about doing that, but I wanted to let her do the raising. Should I not let her take care of her own chicks?

 

[ella]

Momma hen won't start laying right away and will do fine on chick feed. You can put out a bowl of oyster shell for her if she needs it.

Chicks should NOT be fed layer feed.

Also congrats on the chicks, that's awesome!

 

[weirdmuse]

Thank you, Ella! Both for the info and the encouragement.

 

[montcapu]

I definetly agree with ella, she is ok to eat the chick feed but not the other way around