Pellets

[Mamatomany123]

When can younger birds start eating pellets? I currently have 11 1 yr old hens, 4 16week old pullets, and 4 7 week old pullets. I feed all flock but switched to crumble when I integrated the chicks because they couldn't eat the pellets. I'm so tired of the crumble. They make suck a mess with it and most if it ends up on the ground. When will the 7 weekers be able to eat the pellets because I am so ready to change back.

 

[cherrynberry]

When can younger birds start eating pellets? I currently have 11 1 yr old hens, 4 16week old pullets, and 4 7 week old pullets. I feed all flock but switched to crumble when I integrated the chicks because they couldn't eat the pellets. I'm so tired of the crumble. They make suck a mess with it and most if it ends up on the ground. When will the 7 weekers be able to eat the pellets because I am so ready to change back.

IF I were you, I would get pellets and if they cant eat it just add a little bit of water and let it sit for 1 minute. Then just try to feed them the pellets slowly once they can. I have had chickens who could eat it and some who cant.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Depends on how big the pellets are, I guess. Physically they should be able to eat smaller pellets right now/in a week or so without issue, but I've seen some pretty massive grower pellets that probably would be best for birds 14, 16 weeks and up?

 

[Mamatomany123]

Depends on how big the pellets are, I guess. Physically they should be able to eat smaller pellets right now/in a week or so without issue, but I've seen some pretty massive grower pellets that probably would be best for birds 14, 16 weeks and up?

I still have about half a bag of crumble left and that will probably last about another week or so. I know I had my 15 week olds eating the pellets before I got these babies but I cant remember when I started them eating pellets.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Hm, do you happen to still have some pellets on hand? You could try putting out some right now and see if the 7 week olds will eat them - if they will, then you could switch as soon as you're done with the crumble.

My hubby accidentally put out layer pellets one morning when our recent chicks were around 6 weeks old and the chicks were willing to eat those (until I realized the mistake and took them away).

 

[poultryprofessor]

The problem isn't just the physical size of pellets, but also the nutrient composition. Your 7-week-old chicks have different nutritional needs from your adult laying hens. If you are talking about feeding layer pellets, I wouldn't use those until your chicks are laying (so, ~20 weeks of age). If you can get all-flock pellets, you can use them much earlier. I've seen all-flock pellets in a variety of sizes, so that would depend on what is available to you.

 

[Mamatomany123]

The problem isn't just the physical size of pellets, but also the nutrient composition. Your 7-week-old chicks have different nutritional needs from your adult laying hens. If you are talking about feeding layer pellets, I wouldn't use those until your chicks are laying (so, ~20 weeks of age). If you can get all-flock pellets, you can use them much earlier. I've seen all-flock pellets in a variety of sizes, so that would depend on what is available to you.

Like I said above, I feed all flock. I never feed layer pellets as I dont always have layers. Between 18 birds someone is always molting, broody, or just not laying.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Hm, do you happen to still have some pellets on hand? You could try putting out some right now and see if the 7 week olds will eat them - if they will, then you could switch as soon as you're done with the crumble.

My hubby accidentally put out layer pellets one morning when our recent chicks were around 6 weeks old and the chicks were willing to eat those (until I realized the mistake and took them away).

I dont have any more on hand. I had switched to crumble once we acquired these chicks so I wouldnt have 2 bags of feed open. I'll get a bag of pellets and see how they do before I run out of crumble.

 

[neo71665]

What breeds are you talking about? Most standard sized birds should be big enough to eat pellets at 7 weeks.

 

[Mamatomany123]

What breeds are you talking about?

Breeds of all birds? Australorps, sexlinks, EEs, OE, cuckoo marans, and barnevelders. The chicks are cuckoo marans and barnevelders.