So now what'll I do? ...about the food

[Akane]

Flock raiser is not just for adults. The entire point of it is to provide enough nutrition for chickens to grow on as well as adult birds. However I don't think it works any better than some other options. You are still either going to have too much calcium going to the chicks or too little calcium going to the laying hens.

I use game bird feed for all of mine. Saves confusion and is beneficial for the adults so long as you don't get too high of protein and they have calcium supplements. You can also feed nonmedicated chick starter or grower to all of them and just leave oyster shell out for the adults. It won't hurt the hens any. Part of the reason adult chicken feeds are lower in protein is just to save cost since protein is the most expensive part of the feed. While the adults don't always need it a little more won't hurt them and may make them healthier. You just have to make sure you have calcium supplements out because the feed won't have the calcium the layers need. The higher calcium in the layer feed is the main danger for the chicks. I also would avoid using medicated long term on adults since it works by blocking a vitamin and may cause deficiency.

 

[McGoo]

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thanks. I don't use medicated feed since its not organic. I stick to the organic feeds unless I can't get it once in a while. I also keep oyster shells out all the time. In fact once in a while I put the shells in the feed.

During this hot time of the year I typically give the hens electrolytes too. I don't think I'll give that to the chicks just yet. Any thoughts on that one???

The eletrolyte mix has vitamins in it too.

 

[suebee]

It wouldn't hurt to the chicks a few teaspoons of electrolytes in their water, it's good for them. I don't use medicated feed either...that's why my hens can eat the starter crumbles any time I have chicks. I certainly wouldn't let an egg laying hen medicated starter.
I've never had a problem with Cocci either.

 

[McGoo]

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Suebee, Thanks. I gave them all the electrolyte mix today and I'll do it until the temps go down.

 

[McGoo]

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Suebee,
The chicks all hopped up the ramp this evening - It took 4 days

 

[scbatz33]

Flockraiser is made by Purina. It is an all ages feed. The bag recommends from hatch to laying age. I give it to my chicks at about 6 weeks. I personally don't like the size of Flockraiser for the babies. I feed chick started at a 24% then switch to flockraiser - it's 20%. It's pelleted so they waste less. Then I blend my own feed starting at about 16 weeks.

 

[suebee]

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Suebee,
The chicks all hopped up the ramp this evening - It took 4 days

Yeah!! It's funny, just when you think they got it, the next day they're running around wondering how to get up that stupid ramp!

scbatz33, thanks for the imput on flockraiser. I always just stick with chick starter until it's time for layer. They also get a little scratch to play around with at around 4 weeks old. Also grass and bugs.
Yes...I skip the grower.

 

[acbear93]

I have 4 chicks that are almost 2 weeks old and they have been integrated with the rest of the coop already, with their mom at about 5 days of age...I cannot believe how well everyone is getting along

I had the same problem, with what to do about the food...I have the layer ration elevated so that the chicks dont get to it only the layers, and I have the chick starter in a little cubby, actually a rabbit igloo, that only the chicks can get to their food...I was concerned about the older birds eating the youngins food and that they wouldnt have any left for the little ones, but they are all doing alright, they also have some available to them outdoors too in their own little space that only the little ones can get too, and mama peeks her head in there sometimes, and grabs a bite, but doesnt eat, give it to her little ones from her beak, CUTE!

I also had the same problem about the ramp, wondering if those chicks would ever make it up that ramp...took about a week...we'd be out there scooping them up and putting them inside, one night we went out there and had a surprise, they were already in and tucked under mama in the nesting box...I put something in there that reached about halfway up, so they hop on that and then into the nest with mama...they can figure it all out...mama just didnt want to nest on the floor anymore, so they had to do what they had to do to be with her....so darn cute!

 

[McGoo]

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Nice to know that I'm not alone... with the little issues and all the cute stuff too. I'm amazed about the whole thing. It seems so much easier then the egg hatching and chick raising process. And they are the cutiest ever. I just love it!

My next big issue is when to let them out of their netted penned in yard, which is about 15 x 15... and into the yard with the others. We've got hawks just waited for the chance to take one of them. I think I'll wait a few more weeks and see how things go. In the meantime, when the hawks are nearby, momma tucks them under her and/or they hide.
I also noticed that our Roo has been keeping an eye on them from outside of their pen when the hawks are around. This does make me nervous.

 

[acbear93]

My next big issue is when to let them out of their netted penned in yard, which is about 15 x 15... and into the yard with the others. We've got hawks just waited for the chance to take one of them. I think I'll wait a few more weeks and see how things go. In the meantime, when the hawks are nearby, momma tucks them under her and/or they hide.
I also noticed that our Roo has been keeping an eye on them from outside of their pen when the hawks are around. This does make me nervous.

I have a fenced in pen about the same size...I dont have any grown up roosters at the moment, and I DO miss having one, just for the protection factor...the last one we had turned mean on us though, so we ate him! I havent let my mama and chicks roam free outside of the run yet, dont know when I will either, they are just too little I think...the rest of the flock gets out without any problems, but I know what you mean, those predators just wait for when someone isnt looking...you are lucky to have a roo!

Good luck!!​