Transition of chicks into flock

[Sharwig]

I didn't start feeding my chickens layer pellets until they started laying, but if you think they might start laying soon then it's probably all right to start now.

Thanks! I think they're still 2-3 months away from laying, but since I'm moving them to the main coop, I just don't know how to keep them away from the layer pellets? They forage most of the day out in our pasture, but at night they all come in and eat from the same food sources? Will it hurt them to eat the layer pellets this early?

 

[Beatrice&Maple]

I don't think so, but you should make sure that chick food is available too.

 

[msswede1]

They have done very well so far. My husband hasn't let the rooster out yet though. Would he hurt the month old chicks or even go near them?

 

[Lamaremybabies]

chicks under the age of 16 weeks shouldn't have access to layer feed because it has calcium in it for laying hens and is quite dangerous for chicks under the 16 week mark. You can feed all your birds the chick feed as long as your older hens have access to oyster shells and/or crushed egg shells for calcium. also make sure it isn't medicated as this will harm your older hens.

 

[debid]

They have done very well so far. My husband hasn't let the rooster out yet though. Would he hurt the month old chicks or even go near them?

It could go either way depending on whether he views them as more flock to lead or intruders and therefore a threat.

 

[debid]

chicks under the age of 16 weeks shouldn't have access to layer feed because it has calcium in it for laying hens and is quite dangerous for chicks under the 16 week mark. You can feed all your birds the chick feed as long as your older hens have access to oyster shells and/or crushed egg shells for calcium. also make sure it isn't medicated as this will harm your older hens.

I don't agree that medicated feed will harm adults but I personally avoid it because I don't want any medication going into the eggs. I've read the dose is too low to concern yourself with but that's my preference.

At any rate, it's much easier to give everyone an all-flock feed or an unmedicated chick feed than to try and convince the chickens to only eat from a certain feeder. The little ones ignore the dish of calcium I have out for the hens.

 

[Abriana]

Thank you both for the sound advice! Here's an update:

So night before last, I put the young pullets in the coop after the hens had gone to roost for the night (about 9:15 pm), but they were still awake and alert. It was light outside and we have a light in the coop so we didn't "sneak" them in. I watched them for about 20 minutes paying particular attention to one of our RIR's who likes to "patrol" the roost area. To my surprise, no issues! I went back out after 10 pm when the light had gone out and it was dark and found everyone was quiet. The pullets were on the floor and the hens on the roosts..so I let them be. Next morning, my husband said the pullets were nestled on a "stump" below the roosting board and everyone seemed well-behaved and the hens seemed unconcerned to have the babies in their space.

Last night, I did the same thing. When I went out to check after 10, 3 of the young girls had made their way up on the roost platform with the big girls. Two were even nestled on the smaller 1 ft roost with one of our sweet Auracana's! I had two in my nesting boxes below so I carefully moved them up on to the large center roost and watched quietly...again, no issues or aggression with the older hens. Got up this morning and everyone was busy eating with no issues! YIPPEE!

So my next question is...do I need to worry about which food the young pullets are eating? I thought I read that they should not be eating layer pellets before they start laying?

Thats so great! Looks like they are getting used to each other. The chicks should not be eating layer until they are laying because it builds up in their kidneys and can kill them.

 

[Sharwig]

I don't agree that medicated feed will harm adults but I personally avoid it because I don't want any medication going into the eggs. I've read the dose is too low to concern yourself with but that's my preference.

At any rate, it's much easier to give everyone an all-flock feed or an unmedicated chick feed than to try and convince the chickens to only eat from a certain feeder. The little ones ignore the dish of calcium I have out for the hens.

Good plan, I didn't think of an all-flock option. I'll stop by the feed store and pick some up!