Total newbie needs feeding advice.

[featheredplanets]

Wow thanks..that's really useful info. Do I go to a farm shop? On-line pet store?....is there a way to ensure each girl gets her fair share?....grateful.

You can buy online and in farm stores. Prices are pretty much even. If you leave a full feeder out then they can go back and forth all day. Whilst chickens will eat whatever and favour certain foods, they aren’t greedy and will only eat as much as they need.

There’s a YouTuber called ‘Brimwood Farm’ he’s a British poultry keeper and has super helpful info.

 

[Grandma 333]

Things you need to make sure your chickens DON'T get: roaches, unripe tomatoes and potatoes. Always be advised: chickens will eat ANYTHING they find interesting. Be sure never to wear jewelry around your chickens especially earrings; it's been known for chickens to peck off and swallow stuff. Keep your chicken area free of pieces of plastic, metal and cedar wood.

Oh MY! I had no thought about jewellery...earrings will be off! I've found out I have a farm shop stocking all the food about a 3 minute drive from me! Thankyou so much for taking the time to give me advice. I appreciate it......Alison.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! I agree about feeding an all-flock or chick feed, with 18% to 20% protein, rather than a layer feed. They need a separate feeder with oyster shell in it for the extra calcium laying hens need too. If they are used to a mash feed, get that or crumbles, not pellets to start, if you can.
Make sure that every bag of feed you buy is fresh!!! Each bag should have a mill date on it somewhere, and it should be within a few weeks, and fed within another few weeks. Old feed looses some vitamins, not good.
Will they be examined and treated for mites or lice before you get them? Ask, and if not, go out at night with a flashlight looking for tiny moving bugs on their skin. Then get something to treat them!
Ask on the UK thread for advice and products for this.
No bird gets near my face! Chickens will peck at shiny objects, and this can include your eyes!!!
Your new birds will adjust to having a much better life, and enjoy!
Mary

 

[Sequel]

I wonder if their nails will have been trimmed or if you'll need to do that. There is instruction on doing that here too!

 

[Grandma 333]

Welcome! I agree about feeding an all-flock or chick feed, with 18% to 20% protein, rather than a layer feed. They need a separate feeder with oyster shell in it for the extra calcium laying hens need too. If they are used to a mash feed, get that or crumbles, not pellets to start, if you can.
Make sure that every bag of feed you buy is fresh!!! Each bag should have a mill date on it somewhere, and it should be within a few weeks, and fed within another few weeks. Old feed looses some vitamins, not good.
Will they be examined and treated for mites or lice before you get them? Ask, and if not, go out at night with a flashlight looking for tiny moving bugs on their skin. Then get something to treat them!
Ask on the UK thread for advice and products for this.
No bird gets near my face! Chickens will peck at shiny objects, and this can include your eyes!!!
Your new birds will adjust to having a much better life, and enjoy!
Mary

Hi Mary! My granddaughter age 6 is named Mary! She will be learning how to look after 'her' chicken when she comes to visit and she is very likely to name her Mary! Anyway, I want to thank you for the valuable information.
Happily, these rescued girls are coming all done and dusted for mites etc. Also vaccinated and vet checked. I'm so relieved. I'll certainly look for a date on the feed. I've still to buy feeders so I'll be sure to keep one for the oyster shell.
I'm going to have to toughen up if I've to root about at night with a torch! I'm terrified of spiders! My son has just been allocated his first job!....thanks Mary.....I appreciate your advice....Alison.

 

[Grandma 333]

I wonder if their nails will have been trimmed or if you'll need to do that. There is instruction on doing that here too!

I do hope so. Really, since they are to be so thoroughly treated before they are given out I would expect so. I shall ask when I collect them...thankyou....Alison.

 

[Folly's place]

Pictures! Post pictures!
Mary

 

[Grandma 333]

Pictures! Post pictures!
Mary

Do you mean pictures of the chickens when they come? I shall be collecting them on Wednesday afternoon. I'm getting quite excited!

 

[Sequel]

Yes we'd love to see your new chickens! It's so much fun! Do keep us posted on your new adventure!

 

[Lizzy733]

No animal likes a hard diet shift - if you can get a small amount of the feed they're currently on and shift them over to the new feed over the course of a week by adding more and more each day, that would be gentler on their guts. Same if you decide to shift them onto pellets later. Also with treats, start out with smaller increments and work your way up.
They may not understand how grit works at first, so you don't want to bombard them with harder to break down food early on either.
There's already a lot of change for them to get used to.