what to feed?

[jonniesue]

We are receiving our first chicks in a few days (we're SO excited)! They are 4 week old Barred Rocks, we are getting a total of 8 of them and they are coming vaccinated. What feed should we get to start and when should we change to the next kind of feed? Also when should we start gritt and table scraps? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

We are receiving our first chicks in a few days (we're SO excited)! They are 4 week old Barred Rocks, we are getting a total of 8 of them and they are coming vaccinated. What feed should we get to start and when should we change to the next kind of feed? Also when should we start gritt and table scraps? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

How exciting!
Grit and scraps can be started when you get them. As for feed, feed un-medicated grower ration, all-flock, etc. *IF* you are planning to feed a layer ration to them down the road you won't want to start that until the first eggs arrive or at least 18 weeks of age - though you can also just feed a grower ration for the entire life of the birds. I choose to use an all flock feed (currently Flock Raiser) from the first to last day any bird is in my flock as it really simplifies the matter of feeding a group of birds when not all the birds are actively laying eggs (due to gender, age, molt, brooding, etc) and, therefor, have no need of the excessive amount of calcium offered by layer feed.

 

[jonniesue]

How exciting!
Grit and scraps can be started when you get them.  As for feed, feed un-medicated grower ration, all-flock, etc.  *IF* you are planning to feed a layer ration to them down the road you won't want to start that until the first eggs arrive or at least 18 weeks of age - though you can also just feed a grower ration for the entire life of the birds.   I choose to use an all flock feed (currently Flock Raiser)  from the first to last day any bird is in my flock as it really simplifies the matter of feeding a group of birds when not all the birds are actively laying eggs (due to gender, age, molt, brooding, etc) and, therefor, have no need of the excessive amount of calcium offered by layer feed.

I appreciate your advice

 

[boskelli1571]

Hello & welcome!

Most feed stores will have a selection of chick feed - medicated or non-medicated, your preference. Organic feed is more expensive than non-organic. Usually right on the back of the feed sack it will say something like 'chick starter 0- 8 weeks' or 'starter/grower 0 -12 weeks'. I usually get starter/grower and feed that until they need to change to a different formula (again on the back of the feed sack). I'm sure there must be something here in the learning center on recommended feeding of chicks. Personally I start grit around 8 weeks or so - whenever they can go outside in a playpen/cage for short periods. Dried mealworms can be crumbled up and given to chicks - I do this around 4 weeks, sparingly. Melon rinds, strawberries, greens can all be fed around 8 weeks. Again, all of these suggestions are how I do it, it is not written in stone anywhere.
Make sure you have a shallow drinking container - add marbles/small pebbles if you need to that way you won't have any drowned chicks.
I really encourage you to visit the learning center tab on chick care - there is a ton of useful info there. Enjoy your peeps - and beware of 'Chicken Math aka Morehens disease'.

 

[jonniesue]

Hello & welcome!   Most feed stores will have a selection of chick feed - medicated or non-medicated, your preference. Organic feed is more expensive than non-organic. Usually right on the back of the feed sack it will say something like 'chick starter 0- 8 weeks' or 'starter/grower 0 -12 weeks'.  I usually get starter/grower and feed that until they need to change to a different formula (again on the back of the feed sack). I'm sure there must be something here in the learning center on recommended feeding of chicks. Personally I start grit around 8 weeks or so - whenever they can go outside in a playpen/cage for short periods. Dried mealworms can be crumbled up and given to chicks - I do this around 4 weeks, sparingly.  Melon rinds, strawberries, greens can all be fed around 8 weeks.  Again, all of these suggestions are how I do it, it is not written in stone anywhere.
   Make sure you have a shallow drinking container - add marbles/small pebbles if you need to that way you won't have any drowned chicks.
    I really encourage you to visit the learning center tab on chick care - there is a ton of useful info there.  Enjoy your peeps - and beware of 'Chicken Math aka Morehens disease'. 

gotcha and thanks

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I realized I made one major assumption in my response - when you say the chicks are vaccinated, what were the vaccinated for? The most common are Mareks and Cocci -- I assumed it your statement meant the chicks were vaccinated for Cocci, which is why you would want to select an un-medicated feed.

 

[jonniesue]

I realized I made one major assumption in my response - when you say the chicks are vaccinated, what were the vaccinated for?  The most common are Mareks and Cocci -- I assumed it your statement meant the chicks were vaccinated for Cocci, which is why you would want to select an un-medicated feed.

yes, correct

 

[boskelli1571]

I realized I made one major assumption in my response - when you say the chicks are vaccinated, what were the vaccinated for? The most common are Mareks and Cocci -- I assumed it your statement meant the chicks were vaccinated for Cocci, which is why you would want to select an un-medicated feed.

Good catch - thanks!

 

[jonniesue]

We got our 4 week old barred rock girls 2 days ago. Everyone is doing great and we are really enjoying them. When can I feed scrapes and should I avoid feeding bruised fruit or veggies? Thanks again in advance.

[/IMG]

 

[jonniesue]

Another pic of "the girls"...