New Chicken on the Block

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TammyF

TammyF

In the Brooder
5 Years
Jul 22, 2014
32
1
34
Hi My name is Tammy. I have a total of 14 chickens. New to raising backyard chickens. I was raised on a commercial chicken farm growing up but this is a whole new area for me. But one Im excited about. I have 7 Barred Rocks and 7 Rhode Island Reds. They are 14 weeks old. Im here to meet people with the same interest and learn all I can so that I can give these beautiful birds everything they need to have a happy healthy life.
 
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The Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds are great breeds to start with!
 
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Yes, the breeds you have chosen are wonderful! Good luck with them!

GLAD YOU JOINED! Feel free to ask any questions.
 
I do have a couple questions if its not imposing too much. I heard that you should not feed them too much corn during the summer months. My babies are 14 weeks old. Is it true that it is dangerous to give them laying pellets this soon? Along with their scratch mix of course. Thanks in advance!!!!
 
TammyF said:
I do have a couple questions if its not imposing too much.  I heard that you should not feed them too much corn during the summer months.  My babies are 14 weeks old.  Is it true that it is dangerous to give them laying pellets this soon?  Along with their scratch mix of course.  Thanks in advance!!!!
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Corn is fattening and creates heat which is not so good during the hot summer months. Some people switch to oats instead. Yes, layer feed damages chicks kidneys and inner organs. Feed the layer feed and extra calcium to them once they reach 18 weeks and up.
 
Thank You so much for the info. Now all I have to do is figure out how to tell them apart. The Barred Rocks all look exactly the same and the RI Reds do too. lol I would love to give them names but I have to wait until I see differences in them. lol Have a great day!!
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! X2, corn is not a balanced diet, it is low in protein and high in fat, people like to give it in the winter because of the fat, if you feed a commercial feed, in general treats should be limited to around 10% of their diet so not to unbalance it. Most commercial Layer diets say to feed after 18 weeks, because of the high calcium levels, a week here or there isn't going to make a difference, but you don't want to be feeding it to young chicks for any length of time.
A lot of people use colored zip ties on the legs to be able to tell their birds apart, you can also but various legbands etc to put on them http://www.poultrysupplies.com/index_files/Page723.htm
 

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