Need Help Feeding???

[jwatts]

I have 10 hens about 5 weeks old, i am feeding them purina medicated start and grow. My question is when should i stert feeding them different food?Do i need to get them grit and oyster shells too? any help will be greatly appriciated,thank you

 

[WallTenters]

They won't need layer pellets until they get closer to laying age. This all depends on the breed. We have Dominiques and we start giving a layer crumble and free choice oyster shell at about 13-14 weeks, because they start laying pretty early on. We have tons of sand so we don't feed grit (and the baby chicks do get some outside play time so they get the sand too) but you can offer grit. Folks say they don't need grit on chick starter but I've always found they digest better and are overall healthier if they have some access to grit once they reach about 2 weeks old, so yours are in that range.

Good luck!

 

[jwatts]

thank you