New to raising chicks - have question

[Cavendish Chickens]

Okay, I have two chicks. A 1 1/2 week old hen, and a 1 month old roo. We are currently feeding them chick starter feed and I was wondering when they will be ready to move up to the next kind of food, and what that would be. The roo was just put outside for the first time yesterday. He seems happy. He took his first dirt bath, ate some grass, pecked at everything... had a great time. Will be worming him soon. I'm just currently wondering when he should start the next stage food. Thanks!

 

[Crack N' Egg]

I started my girls on Layer feed at 18 weeks. I kept them on the medicated chick feed until then. My roo was the same age so he stayed on their schedule. They are really not 'that' far apart in the grand scheme of things.

Good luck with your new additions!!

 

[Cavendish Chickens]

Okay. Thanks!

 

[gryeyes]

Feed chick starter for around the first eight weeks, give or take. Some folks feed starter all the way up to the time they start using layer feed, which is no sooner than 18-20 weeks, OR when hens begin to lay.

IF you use layer feed, that is. Some of us use general or all purpose feed, and offer oyster shell free choice to the layers.

 

[blueskylen]

Hi, just wanted to say that the roo really should not need to be wormed - unless you are sure that he has worms. put a teaspoon of cider vinegar in their water to help prevent worms - 've read this on here and do it for my chickens. i haven't wormed them ever, and they are 3 years old - haven't seen any worms in their stools.

good luck with the chooks

 

[Crack N' Egg]

I've never wormed or treated any of my chickens and hopefully will never have to. I'm afraid of the day that I will need to. I do use DE though in their dusting area's and coop. It really does work well that I even use it carefully around the house.

 

[father-clucker]

Should I ask where the worms typically come from and can they be transmitted (?) to the hen's eggs? My 2-3 week olds are just starting their new bag of starter and my kids keep asking me what they can give them for treats.. I keep telling them 'nothing' until they're adults..