Hi everyone,
I'd like to peck at everybody's brain about feeding my flock of pullets.
I recently acquired 5 young pullets of varying ages. The oldest one is about 4-1/2 months, and the rest are about 10-11 weeks. When I got them, I went out to a local feed store that is locally known for helping new chickenkeepers get a good start with their flock. I told the gentleman I had young pullets that would start laying sometime this summer, and he recommended this particular feed, which I purchased.
I have subsequently found out that this feed is formulated for laying hens. They'll EVENTUALLY be laying hens, but they're a few months away from laying, though they're not exactly chicks anymore, either. I think the oldest one (ameraucana) is not too far from laying. How old are they when they start laying? She's about 5 weeks away from being 6 months old. She's been rearranging the nesting boxes to suit her tastes.
Will they be ok with this food, or should I get them something else? They're in a chicken tractor and mostly eat garden greens, bugs, grass, etc. Caught them fighting over a fat green caterpillar this afternoon. It was hilarious! It was like chicken football. First the ameraucana had it (she found it first), then the barred rock snatched it, then the RIR... back to the ameraucana who had it when I had to come back inside and get some housework done. I could have sat and watched all day. I never thought I'd be SO hooked.
Anyway, I've read in some places that they should not get layer food until they have started producing eggs. I also give them black oil sunflower seeds, flax seed, and scratch grains.
They're spoiled.
Should they be ok on this diet, or should I give them something different? They've been here less than a week and all seem happy, content, and have noticeable growth. I just want to make sure I don't cause anyone to have kidney failure or anything.
I'd like to peck at everybody's brain about feeding my flock of pullets.
I recently acquired 5 young pullets of varying ages. The oldest one is about 4-1/2 months, and the rest are about 10-11 weeks. When I got them, I went out to a local feed store that is locally known for helping new chickenkeepers get a good start with their flock. I told the gentleman I had young pullets that would start laying sometime this summer, and he recommended this particular feed, which I purchased.
I have subsequently found out that this feed is formulated for laying hens. They'll EVENTUALLY be laying hens, but they're a few months away from laying, though they're not exactly chicks anymore, either. I think the oldest one (ameraucana) is not too far from laying. How old are they when they start laying? She's about 5 weeks away from being 6 months old. She's been rearranging the nesting boxes to suit her tastes.
Will they be ok with this food, or should I get them something else? They're in a chicken tractor and mostly eat garden greens, bugs, grass, etc. Caught them fighting over a fat green caterpillar this afternoon. It was hilarious! It was like chicken football. First the ameraucana had it (she found it first), then the barred rock snatched it, then the RIR... back to the ameraucana who had it when I had to come back inside and get some housework done. I could have sat and watched all day. I never thought I'd be SO hooked.
Anyway, I've read in some places that they should not get layer food until they have started producing eggs. I also give them black oil sunflower seeds, flax seed, and scratch grains.
They're spoiled.
Should they be ok on this diet, or should I give them something different? They've been here less than a week and all seem happy, content, and have noticeable growth. I just want to make sure I don't cause anyone to have kidney failure or anything.
