questions from a newbie

[dcs02d]

I just finished my coop this weekend and we went and got 4 hens from a local farm. Two are adults and two are a few months old.
I purchased some laying feed from our local feed store. I live in an urban area (right in the middle of town) but I have an old house with a larger back yard and we have a lot of grass, shrubs, trees and a large area with pine straw and ferns. I've been letting the hens roam around the yard during the day.

Is it fine to feed the pullets not old enough to lay the feed for layers or broilers?

It seems like the adult hens don't eat my feed but they do wander the yard all day scratching and eating. This morning I came out with food and they walked right by and went to scratch around in the yard. Is that a problem? What are they eating anyway? Bugs and dirt I suppose

 

[chickboss]

I think that you want the two younger girls on a grower diet. If I remember right, there is too much calcium in layer pellets for chickens who are not laying. Though, if they are foraging a lot, it may ballance out. I'm sure someone will come along and clarify if that's right or wrong thinking on my part. As far as not eating the pellets, they may just be going gang busters for all your undisturbed greenery and yummy bugs. Did they free range on the farm that you bought them from? Or have access to green stuffs? You could always pick them up, feel their breasts, weigh them, and then check in a week or so to make sure they are the same. Oh, you could check if their crop is full. Then you would know they are getting food from your yard. I let mine eat free choice. They nibble the pellets here and there, and then eat and peck in their yard for a great while.

 

[dcs02d]

The farm was not really free range. They were in a pen that was big enough but there were a lot of birds and no grass.

 

[teach1rusl]

If possible, you don't want your pullets eating the layer feed until 16 -18 weeks or so. They need the higher protein feed of grower/flock raiser, and don't need the calcium. You could just offer flock raiser, and free choice oyster shell for your laying girls since it would only be for a few weeks. And yes, your chickens are eating greens, bugs, bug eggs, and sometimes tiny rocks to break down their food. They'll get good protein from bugs they eat, but keep feed available for well-balanced nourishment.

 

[goldnchocolate]

Quote:
Well, I think the only wrong with your hens is that they think that they have died and gone to heaven

. This is called Chicken T.V. I don't think that there is anything more relaxing than watching my chickens scratching and pecking while they look for goodies on the ground. Good luck with your new hens!!

 

[chickboss]

Quote:
I agree with the other poster. They are no doubt just very happy hens right now.