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?
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.
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.
