New to this!!!

[Imthgirl]

Hello everyone! As a mother's day gift, I received 7 hens and I couldn't have been happier. We just finished their new & improved coop with a run and they will be going in it tomorrow. We are so excited!

But since I am new to this, I have just a couple questions. Out of my 7 girls, 5 are all the same age (around 9 weeks old) and 2 are 2 months old (almost 3 months old). Currenlty they are all eating medicated chick starter. My question is, what do I feed them after this and when do I make the switch? Also, do I provide scratch on the floor of the run? I have also heard of people using oyster shells and wanted to know what this was all about.

Thanks in advance for helping out a newbie!!!!

 

[ailurophile23]

Glad you are joining us on BYC! As for the feeding, you will find varying opinions on what is best to feed and there are lots of options. As a starting point, I found it easiest to use FlockRaiser and I switched my chickens to this around 18 weeks of age. I do supplement with crushed oyster shell (for calcium) and grit - I offer it free choice and also mix a handful or two into their feed containers. The reason I used FlockRaiser is that the protein level is a little higher and when I used Layena (lower protein) the chickens tended to resort to feather picking. I use scratch sparingly - mostly as a treat to get them to come inot the coop when I need to put them up or as a bedtime snack in the winter for extra calories. A good pelleted or crumble food should provide all the basics. I like to supplement with leafy greens when mine can't free-range as it helps give good yolk color.

 

[Imthgirl]

Thanks for the warm welcome and for the helpful advise! I guess I was just concerned since I have two different age chicks. But I will probably switch them when the youngest ones turn 18 weeks.

Thanks again

 

[ailurophile23]

Switching when the youngest turn 18 weeks should be fine. Another way to determine when to switch from the medicated chick feed is when the feed runs out. When I got my first chciks, I bought a 50 lb bag of medicated feed - fortunately, my chicks managed to eat most of it by the time they turned 18 weeks but I started with 28 chicks and they ate a LOT! I guess what I am saying is, if you bought a large bag of feed, don't be afraid to feed it a little longer - or give it to someone with baby chicks if there is a lot left.

 

[Imthgirl]

Great, makes sense! Thanks again!!!!!!!!!