I have 3 7 week old chicks(not Silkie) they are fully feathered out so I have been taking them out to the bantam coop during the warm days and letting them free range. They really enjoy running around and flapping their wings. In the evenings I return them to their cage in the garage. Its still getting below 50* at night. They still have their medicated starter in the cage and may find the occasional piece of cracked corn or layer pellet when out side.
My question is... I should keep them on this schedule or at least make sure they eat the chick starter until they are 12 weeks. I was planning on leaving them out when the nights warm up. I don't want yo feed the bantams medicated food. Any suggestions?
I only feed the medicated chick starter till they are 6 weeks. Then I put grower crumble out for them , but by then they are usually happy to tuck in to the free range mix that everyone else is eating. I have a bottle of amprolium in my first aid box in case of cocci outbreak and don't really feel it necessary to continue to supplement the feed.