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jackn67

jackn67

In the Brooder
5 Years
Joined
Sep 19, 2014
Messages
14
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2
Points
24
Location
Ireland
Hey guys :) very new to the whole chicken scenario
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I've had my chickens for about 2 days now. They are a couple of months old and are a few weeks off laying. I only have two
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any help and advice AT ALL is so appreciated and welcome!
 
Hello there and welcome to BYC!
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Congrats on the new flock! Chickens are so much fun to keep. Have you stopped by our learning center yet? Lots of helpful tips and hints on keeping your new birds...https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

If you have any questions along the way, feel free to ask.

Enjoy your new birds and welcome to our flock!
 
Thanks so much for the warm welcome
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always nice to have a friendly typer around lol
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can't find the answers I'm looking for yet..maybe you could help? I just wanna know if it's ok for my chickens to be on layers pellets even though they aren't laying? And should I pick them up now to get them used to being handled? Even though they still put up a struggle haha.
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! Do you know how old your pullets are? Usually you want to wait until the pullets are around 18 weeks or have started to lay before putting them on Layer food. Layer is really high in calcium and it isn't good for younger birds, and if they aren't laying they don't need it.
Chickens tend to struggle less when it is dark, so taking them quietly off the roost at night to start with is a good way to getting them used to being handled. Chickens take awhile to warm up to you, some never like being held as such, but they usually are pretty food motivated and will at least become pretty friendly running up to you and following you around for food. If you sit with them in the run etc on their level and toss them some treats they should start getting braver about coming around when you show up with them, just gradually make them come closer and closer before you put the treats down.
 
Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. X2 on TwoCrow's advice. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. What kind of chickens do you have?
 
Welcome to BYC!
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We're glad to have you.

X2 on Kelsie's advice regarding whether you should be feeding layer feed or not.

Good luck with your birds!
 
You shouldn't put them on layer feed until they are very near to laying. Have their combs and wattles gotten redder and larger? Do they squat for you if you touch their back?

Those are generally signs they are close to laying- then they need the layer feed to get calcium for shell production. The way to a chicken's heart is through their stomach - spend some time with them - giving out treats, after a while they will look forward to your visits and mob you.
 
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Glad you joined us!

X4 on Kelsie2290's advice. Good luck with your flock!

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!
 

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