New Mom with tons of questions

[GiGiSup]

1) When can I introduce treats/ scraps to my chicks?
2) My 11 week old black sexlinks are eating constantly; can I let them go without food for a stretch?
3) How old do they have to be to stay outside permanently in SE Louisiana?

 

[Poultry parent]

You can give them treats as soon as they can eat. Chickens can go overnight without food. At around 8 weeks you can put them outside and not have to worry about heat

 

[barred2rock]

It's best to keep them on their crumble until they're close to full grown without a break. That said most of us cheat. At roughly 8 weeks I started giving mine (five Barred Rocks) a small handful of wild bird seed a few time a week. Even adults should get no more than 10% of their diet in treats.

Once the birds are fully feathered, they can go out to the coop. It's suggested that they're locked down in their coop for a week to teach them where to roost and where home is.

 

[blackdog043]

1. Make sure you have grit for your chicks, before you give them treats.
2. Food should be available all day.
3. Once they are fully feathered, usually around 7 - 8 weeks.

 

[GiGiSup]

You can give them treats as soon as they can eat. Chickens can go overnight without food. At around 8 weeks you can put them outside and not have to worry about heat

Thanks but I worry about predators outside.

 

[GiGiSup]

It's best to keep them on their crumble until they're close to full grown without a break. That said most of us cheat. At roughly 8 weeks I started giving mine (five Barred Rocks) a small handful of wild bird seed a few time a week. Even adults should get no more than 10% of their diet in treats.

Once the birds are fully feathered, they can go out to the coop. It's suggested that they're locked down in their coop for a week to teach them where to roost and where home is.

What exactly does fully feathered mean? Looks like they already are? We had mouse get in their cage and they freaked out til we chased him out.

 

[GiGiSup]

When do they typically start laying?

 

[Poultry parent]

16-24 weeks

 

[barred2rock]

What exactly does fully feathered mean? Looks like they already are?

Meaning their entire body is covered by feathers opposed to the down they're born with. At 11 weeks they most certainly should be fully feathered.

 

[blackdog043]

Thanks but I worry about predators outside.

Do you have a secure coop for them outside?