New to chickens

[pame5duff]

I am new to chickens this spring. I have 12 that are now 14 weeks old. 3 Bard Rock, 3 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Ameraunas, and 4 Silver Laced Wyandottes. I have been researching for a long time and “wanted to do everything right!”
I feel like our chickens are very safe at night. The coop is secure with hardware cloth over the windows. We dug a trench around the outside and lined it with hardware cloth. On the sides of the run we used hardware cloth also instead of chicken wire so that predators can’t reach in. Well our chickens are free ranging all day now, so much for concerns about anything reaching in.
In the beginning I read that chicks should not be handled, but I am sorry I didn’t handle them more. I love to hold them but the feeling is not mutual. They come running when they see me, and they follow me around when I am outside. We are friends, but very little cuddling is allowed.
I have been feeding them Natures Best Organic Chick Starter. I understand that they will be on this until the first eggs are laid. Here comes the questions:
Is it ok to switch all of them at that same time to layer feed?
When should I offer oyster shell?
Crumbles or pellets?
Keep the feed in the coop or outside?
Any suggestions on a great feeder- I have a hanging one now with so much waste?
Maybe questions should be asked in another area?
Thanks for looking and helping me!

 

[MROO]

Welcome! And be prepared for LOTS of input. It sounds like you're off to a great start!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - thanks for joining us and congrats on your new flock. Now for your questions:

At this age you could switch to general / all flock feed. At around 4 months you could put optional oyster shell in a separate feeder. Crumbles or pellets is a personal preference. I’d keep feed out of the coop to deter mice etc. No feeders are perfect, so don’t worry too much about it.
Further information is best obtained from this forum - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/feeding-watering-your-flock.12/

Searching articles in the learning centre on the topics mentioned would also be a good idea - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/learning-center.11/

Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive


Here’s a link to general links and the different forums on BYC - https://www.backyardchickens.com/misc/quick-navigation-menu


You can use this link to contact members in your area - Find Your State Thread

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[pame5duff]

Hi and welcome to BYC - thanks for joining us and congrats on your new flock. Now for your questions:

At this age you could switch to general / all flock feed. At around 4 months you could put optional oyster shell in a separate feeder. Crumbles or pellets is a personal preference. I’d keep feed out of the coop to deter mice etc. No feeders are perfect, so don’t worry too much about it.
Further information is best obtained from this forum - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/feeding-watering-your-flock.12/

Searching articles in the learning centre on the topics mentioned would also be a good idea - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/learning-center.11/

Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive


Here’s a link to general links and the different forums on BYC - https://www.backyardchickens.com/misc/quick-navigation-menu


You can use this link to contact members in your area - Find Your State Thread

Best wishes

Pork Pie

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Hi and welcome to BYC - thanks for joining us and congrats on your new flock. Now for your questions:

At this age you could switch to general / all flock feed. At around 4 months you could put optional oyster shell in a separate feeder. Crumbles or pellets is a personal preference. I’d keep feed out of the coop to deter mice etc. No feeders are perfect, so don’t worry too much about it.
Further information is best obtained from this forum - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/feeding-watering-your-flock.12/

Searching articles in the learning centre on the topics mentioned would also be a good idea - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/learning-center.11/

Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive


Here’s a link to general links and the different forums on BYC - https://www.backyardchickens.com/misc/quick-navigation-menu


You can use this link to contact members in your area - Find Your State Thread

Best wishes

Pork Pie

I am new to chickens this spring. I have 12 that are now 14 weeks old. 3 Bard Rock, 3 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Ameraunas, and 4 Silver Laced Wyandottes. I have been researching for a long time and “wanted to do everything right!”

​

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC!
We are glad you joined our flock!

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[FrankieDoodle]

Welcome to BYC!!!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy

Welcome to Backyard Chickens!! Enjoy your time here with us!

Thanks for joining!!!

 

[Nats Chickens]

Hello! welcome to BYC! you should switch them over to layer at 18 weeks of age and offer oyster shell once they start laying. that's what I did with my first four hens...now we have four six week olds we got as day olds...our flock is increasing!!