New to the Chicken Thing!

[Buddy-O]

Yesterday we got our 25 BSL 4 day old chics. Curious about feed...we got a 23% chic grower from a local milling company in Ms. Is that okay? How long do we feed this...until they start laying? last night when we turned the light off they got louder...should we leave a light on all night? It's neat...when we walk up to them they get a little quieter. Thanks for any help and we look forward to these little rascals. Right now they are named "Black Beauty 1, 2, 3..." Bella Caroline, and Clairetta!

 

[barkinghills]

They need continuous heat, so if the light you mention is their source of heat, they need it all night. Cheeping louder can mean they are cold. It needs to be about 90-95 under the light at the level of their bedding, then you can adjust the heat down by 5 degrees per week until they are feathered out.

Good luck!

 

[DanEP]

At 4 days old they will need heat all the time. Try putting your light at one end of the brooder so they can get away from heat or get heat when needed. they are good at self regulating and it makes life easier for you. If their cold they will huddle together and get very vocal.
When you see that their avoiding the light all the time just raise the light a little and watch your chicks to make sure their still warm enough. If their running around playing your fine. If you can't raise the light switch to a lower wattage bulb that gives off less heat.
As far as the starter feed goes I just feed that till it's gone then switch to a grower that's a little lower in protein levels, 18-20% is fine. I leave them on this till they start laying. Once they start laying you can switch to a layer feed or you can continue feeding an all flock type feed that's around 18% protein level and give them oyster shell on the side, Either one is fine.