I have 11 BO's and 1 BR that are 7 weeks old. 8 BO's are girls and the 1 BR is a boy(maybe). When should I seperate the Roo's from each other? We are only going to keep 1 Roo for the 8 girls. Has anyone ever fed thier chicks "sweet feed"? I don't know the nutritional value yet, but it is much cheaper than chick food.
I gave away my extra roos around 7 weeks old - once I knew they were definite roos. I knew I was only going to keep two, so after that the others were only taking up space and eating my feed. Sweet feed is not a good feed option. The chicks need chick starter/grower for proper development. Welcome to BYC!
My chickens, duck and geese all stand under more horses when they are eatting their sweet feed hoping for any morsal that falls. However, I don't know that it would be a good diet for chickens. I guess you could compare the ingrediats and Nutritional value between teh two. I feed layer pellets as I am wanting them to keep on laying.
Chicks definitely need chick starter as it is made to meet all the specific requirements to be healthy, active and productive.
I agree with the other posts. They need chick starter or starter/grower. Starter up to 8 weeks Grower Crumbles or pellets from 8 weeks until you get your first egg Layer from first egg on. I use starter/grower until I get my first egg then I switch the girls to layer. If I have any starter/grower left when they start laying, I mix it with the layer until it's gone. I haven't had any problems with my girls laying.
Way too much molasses/sugar in sweet feed...too fibrous and not really digestible for a chicken... For layers: Feed chick starter for 8 weeks. Then feed Layer crumbles, and offer oyster shell ala carte. In the cold months each morning throw out a few handfuls of scratch for good energy and general merriment. Make sure you keep all of your feeds fresh and rodent free by putting them into sealed tubs or new trash cans. If you see mold throw it out! Have fun once they start laying...you'll make quiche and fritata and waffles and omelets!!! Our extra eggs go in the cellar for a few months or get sold to neighbors
Quote:Did you really mean to say layer crumbles after 8 weeks? That's much too soon for them to be on layer feed. Feed starter until 8 weeks, then grower until 18 to 20 weeks. Or if all that's available is a starter/grower combination (like it is here) then you feed that until 18 to 20 weeks or until you get your first egg. Layer too soon does not have the correct proportions of nutrients for growing chicks.
