Think I have a rooster

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks this helps so much! I am currently feeding grower/finisher food & am suppose to switch to laying pellets at 18 weeks which they will be in a week so wasn’t sure about Roos eating later food.

You don’t have to switch. That’s more of a guide for the commercial breeds but it’s not a rule or necessity. They will be fine staying on that food as long as you buy some oyster shells for them. Should be located right near the food. Or you could switch them all to Flock Raiser.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Agree with Kdogg331. I also bought sexed chicks and ended up with 2 roosters in the bunch. Unfortunately one ended up racoon dinner. The one I still have is friendly enough, I enjoy having him. I feed the Flock Raiser or All Flock, depending what my store has in stock when I need it. I also try to get the pellets instead of crumble, less waste in my opinion. I have the oyster shell on the side and I also feed them back their shells, which they seem to love! Enjoy your flock, they are so much fun to have.

Yeah, the crumbles are definitely a bit of a waste. I find it’s a lot of powder lately. But my store doesn’t carry the Flock Raiser in pellets and the All Flock isn’t always fresh. I buy whatever is freshest.

 

[rosychicks19]

Wow! You have a variety! I wanted a couple buff Orpington but none of the stores had any when we went to purchase them. Oh I agree, I will definitely keep the Brahma!

 

[rosychicks19]

You don’t have to switch. That’s more of a guide for the commercial breeds but it’s not a rule or necessity. They will be fine staying on that food as long as you buy some oyster shells for them. Should be located right near the food. Or you could switch them all to Flock Raiser.

Thanks so much!

 

[rosychicks19]

Yeah, the crumbles are definitely a bit of a waste. I find it’s a lot of powder lately. But my store doesn’t carry the Flock Raiser in pellets and the All Flock isn’t always fresh. I buy whatever is freshest.

Thanks! Do you ever feed your chickens anything other than feed? My Granny & Papa fed their chickens potato peelings & other stuff which I do not remember but I know they mostly fed them ground corn. What other things is okay for them to eat?

 

[Cluckingitup]

Thanks! Do you ever feed your chickens anything other than feed? My Granny & Papa fed their chickens potato peelings & other stuff which I do not remember but I know they mostly fed them ground corn. What other things is okay for them to eat?

If you check Pinterest/ google there is a host of things they will eat. I planted a chicken garden in the spring full of herbs and plants that are beneficial for them. I just cored an apple and gave it to them yesterday and they had a blast eating it. I also buy fly grub/mealworm and grain treats from store. I generally mix 1/2 treat, 1/2 feed and they seem to think it's all treats!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Wow! You have a variety! I wanted a couple buff Orpington but none of the stores had any when we went to purchase them. Oh I agree, I will definitely keep the Brahma!

Yeah I definitely do! I wanted a lot of different colors and breeds and I definitely got it.

And aw that stinks! Maybe you can add some next year.

And glad to hear it!! Not sure if I will keep a rooster or not. I didn’t want one but I’ll probably get attached to one of the chicks

Thanks so much!

No problem!

Thanks! Do you ever feed your chickens anything other than feed? My Granny & Papa fed their chickens potato peelings & other stuff which I do not remember but I know they mostly fed them ground corn. What other things is okay for them to eat?

I sometimes give them treats or let them free range but not very often anymore. I used to give them treats a ton but haven’t as much lately. We just haven’t had much to give them. I do like giving them kitchen scraps when I have them. Fruits and vegetables and such. And sometimes in the winter I’ll feed them scratch and stuff. It’s basically corn and a bunch of other grains mixed in.

But you don’t want to give them too many treats because it can throw the nutrient balance off. They say treats shouldn’t be more than 10% of the diet but I don’t really keep too close track. I just try not to give them a ton.

I wouldn’t give them a lot of corn. It can make them fat but it’s okay occasionally. I like to give mine a little bit before bed in the winter because it takes a while to digest so that process helps keep them warmer.

If you check Pinterest/ google there is a host of things they will eat. I planted a chicken garden in the spring full of herbs and plants that are beneficial for them. I just cored an apple and gave it to them yesterday and they had a blast eating it. I also buy fly grub/mealworm and grain treats from store. I generally mix 1/2 treat, 1/2 feed and they seem to think it's all treats!

These are all excellent suggestions! And I believe there is a list on here somewhere too.

 

[rosychicks19]

If you check Pinterest/ google there is a host of things they will eat. I planted a chicken garden in the spring full of herbs and plants that are beneficial for them. I just cored an apple and gave it to them yesterday and they had a blast eating it. I also buy fly grub/mealworm and grain treats from store. I generally mix 1/2 treat, 1/2 feed and they seem to think it's all treats!

Thanks I have given them potato peelings, bird seed & meal worms they love all of them! I thought about buying some earthworms at the bait shop since it is winter & there are not many bugs out for them to eat.

Yeah I definitely do! I wanted a lot of different colors and breeds and I definitely got it.

And aw that stinks! Maybe you can add some next year.

And glad to hear it!! Not sure if I will keep a rooster or not. I didn’t want one but I’ll probably get attached to one of the chicks



No problem!



I sometimes give them treats or let them free range but not very often anymore. I used to give them treats a ton but haven’t as much lately. We just haven’t had much to give them. I do like giving them kitchen scraps when I have them. Fruits and vegetables and such. And sometimes in the winter I’ll feed them scratch and stuff. It’s basically corn and a bunch of other grains mixed in.

But you don’t want to give them too many treats because it can throw the nutrient balance off. They say treats shouldn’t be more than 10% of the diet but I don’t really keep too close track. I just try not to give them a ton.

I wouldn’t give them a lot of corn. It can make them fat but it’s okay occasionally. I like to give mine a little bit before bed in the winter because it takes a while to digest so that process helps keep them warmer.



These are all excellent suggestions! And I believe there is a list on here somewhere too.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I bet they would love that!! You can buy crickets at the pet stores too.

 

[rosychicks19]

Thanks! I do not give them treats every day with the meal worms I gave them a couple of tablespoons every other day or so, until I ran out, those are sort of pricey, I keep wild bird feed & will throw them about a cup full twice a week, they like the variety of seeds in that I google everything before I do it but I like this site better because I can converse with a real person who has experience not just some written rules for raising chickens.