Newbie question

[jermoatc]

My broody hen is about to hatch her chicks. I intend to let her raise her chicks in the yard with the rest my small laying flock (8). I bought some chick starter feed that I am putting under a slatted box to keep the older birds out but I am worried because I read that the layer feed is bad for the chicks. What if they get some of it foraging around the yard? is it really harmful?

 

[colebarnhart]

No probably not in small doses. The higher calcium in the layer feed for egg shell production can be harmful to the kidneys of the little ones, but in your case, I wouldn't think it would be any big deal.

 

[CapricornFarm]

If you use the big pellets for layer feed, the chicks won't eat it because it will be too big. They prefer the finer chick feed.