Some Q's for the group

[PachecoPeeps]

As others have stated do not start in layer until they start laying. You could switch to an all flock or flock raiser or continue on the started feed until they are older.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

1. If using medicated you go for 8 weeks or until bag runs out. Don't use layer until point of lay or laying.

2. They go to roost all on their own. You need to close the door and night and open in morning or purchase an auto door like adoor1.

3. Good luck trying to maintain gardens around them. They'll tear it up scratching unless plants are already very established.

4. Confine birds to run for three days or so until they have made the new coop home. Once imprinted on them this is where to roost they can be left to own devices and always will come home to roost. They won't travel far from home until the bugs and green forage are in short supply making them travel farther. If trained to a call they will always come running back to you if you see them going too far. What that means is come fall they will need to be limited hours free range or they will travel far if given too much time with limited forage.

 

[RodNTN]

I would love to plant a flower garden next to my coop, the problem is my chickens won't leave the flowers alone They'll dig them up no matter what. And if it isn't the chickens doing it, it'll be a skunk.

 

[PirateGirl]

Hi everyone, wasn't sure what to put this under so decided on everything else. Have a few Q's that I could use some answers to.
1. For how long do you feed the medicated chick crumbles, just til the bag runs out and then go to something like "laying feed" or??

2. Do most of you usher them all into the coop at night just leave their little chick door open for them to go in and out when they're ready (in the morning) or do you close it up for the night

3. Any luck with doing some gardening around their area to look nice, without them destroying it?

4. How long would you say it takes for them to become trained enough to stick relatively close by when I'm outside with them, and not worry about them scurrying far away or flying to where I can't get them? They run to me like crazy when I call them now but they're not in their "new world" just yet but will be this weekend

I think that's all I have for now...Really appreciate any and all help I can get on here!

1. I fed my mixed flock all ages, all sexes, chickens, and ducks all the same thing all the time. I don't start with one food then switch to another.
2. I ALWAYS usher them into the coop at night if they have not gone in on their own. The coop is even more secure from predators than the run. Also it's cold at night, if just one little one (or even adult) got left out for the night away from the flock they would be way colder than if they roosted with the others under shelter. The only exception is that if I have a sitter I do not expect them to go in the run and round up the birds. If they do, great, if not *shrug*.
3. chickens eat and scratch everything, even if just out of curiosity, I wouldn't expect any gardening to survive unless protected. Some ideas though, I've mounted window boxes on the outside of the coop a few feet of the ground. I'm also building "roof top" type garden bed that the chickens will be able to go underneath for shelter but won't be able to climb up into.
4. I do not free range, it is not permitted within town limits.