What, When & Where???

[mtadkins5]

I am getting my first chicks next week and couldn't be more excited about it

I would like to hear from all of you what you feed your chicks/chickens (brand & ages), when you feed your chicks/chickens & where you get your feed? I had plans of getting my food at Tractor Supply and the following was the plan:

DuMOR® Chick Starter/Grower 20% (0 to 10 weeks of age)

DuMOR® Poultry Grower/Finisher 15% (10 to 18 weeks of age)
DuMOR® Poultry Layer 16% Crumble over (18 weeks old)
EXTRA JUST A SCOOP HERE AND THERE

Producer's Pride® Cracked Corn (NOT SURE WHEN TO START)
Producer's Pride® Scratch Grain (NOT SURE WHEN TO START)

THESE 4 MIXED IN THEIR FOOD AS SOON AS THEY MOVE TO COOP
Manna Pro® Poultry Grit (ON THE SIDE)
Manna Pro® Oyster Shell (ON THE SIDE)
Manna Pro® Poultry Conditioner (I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYONE TALK ABOUT THIS)
Red Lake Earth® Diatomaceous Earth with Calcium Bentonite Supplement

TREATS- NOT SURE WHEN TO START
Happy Hen Treats™ Mealworm Frenzy (NOT SURE WHEN TO START)

FRUITS , VEGGIES, GARLIC, HERBS & APPLE CIDER VINAGER (IN WATER)

WHEN I BRING THEM HOME & TILL I GET THEM IN THE COOP

Manna Pro® Medicated Chick Starter
Sav-A-Chick® Electrolyte & Vitamin Supplement (IN WATER)
Sav-A-Chick® Probiotic Supplement (IN WATER)
Manna Pro® Chick Grit (ON THE SIDE)


I was told that DuMor made their poop really stink and getting it at Tractor Supply is more $$$. I want to do the right thing but be as less $$$ as it can be. I am learning so tell me me from what YOU KNOW please!

 

[beckah1]

Wow. That's a lot more than what I do.

I don't add anything to their water (unless it's ACV for adults).

I don't use scratch (but I free range) unless it's winter and too cold/snowy for them to get out. I don't like to use corn (GMOs).

I dust their bedding with DE, but don't feed it to them.

I always have oyster shell available.

Mealworms are a treat (they LOVE them) for whenever I want some extra loving. You can also use sunflower seeds.

I use starter then switch to layer.

Lots of controversy over what to feed or timing. Good luck!

 

[SobbaChickens]

I started my girls off on Manna Pro Medicated Chick Starter. Once that bag was gone (last a few weeks) I put them on Nutrena Nature Wise Chick Starter/Grower. I will not change their food again until 20wks or when they start laying if earlier than that.

Around 3-4wks I started grit because I wanted to give treats. After reading posts on here I decided I would not give my girls any treats other than eggs without giving grit first.

I started putting ACV (with the mother) in their water around 2-3wks and have never stopped.

As far as the electrolyte vitamin supplement stuff, I'd say it's good to have on hand just in case depending on the price. My chicks have been perfectly healthy so I've never looked into the stuff personally. Another thing that might be really good to have on hand is Corrid (spelling?)

Do not start Oyster shell until they are laying because extra calcium is a no no for chicks.

 

[SobbaChickens]

Wow. That's a lot more than what I do.

I second that

 

[mtadkins5]

Is that too much? If I don't have to I won't lol. What brands do you uses and from where?

 

[beckah1]

Is that too much? If I don't have to I won't lol. What brands do you uses and from where?

I'd say it's too much, but I've only been doing this for a year.

I don't use grit...but I free range on 80 acres. They don't need "extras" because they go find it. If you're using a coop and a run it might be different.

I am looking into fermented feed and sprouting grains, so I'm in the process of changing brands. I use a Blue Seal because that's what the feed store sells (& I don't like Purina purely for philosophical reasons). They seem to do well on it.

As your chicks are separated, I'd follow what SobbaChickens said. Starter/Grower until 18/20 weeks. Then just switch to a layer pellet (reduces waste as opposed to crumble).
I change my water frequently, so I don't feel that I need conditioners, but Apple Cider Vinegar is supposed to make them less stressed. Can't hurt 'em.

You also don't need oyster shell if you don't want to (post 20 weeks). You could take the shells of the eggs that you're getting and crumble them up and feed them back reducing your need for another thing. I don't do that, but a lot of people do (I bought a giant bag of oyster shell last year and am STILL using it).

 

[SobbaChickens]

Is that too much? If I don't have to I won't lol. What brands do you uses and from where?

Well I applaud you for all the research you've obviously done

but I think you can get chick starter, ACV, and grit and your chicks would be happy. Sooooooo much of raising chickens is personal choice, so I give grit no matter what because that I way I know my girls are getting it and I'm not just assuming. A huge bag of grit is like $10 and will last a super long time.

http://www.scratchandpeck.com/the-values-of-raw-apple-cider-vinegar

Treats aren't needed at all but lots of people use them as a way to bond with the chicks (I'm guilty). I think I started treats around 3wks old.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

WOW! You've really done a lot of research. Makes me feel lazy by comparison.

Might want to buy small bags initially to see if your chicks will like what you're giving them. They're funny that way. Mine won't eat cracked corn for love or money. I bought a big bag of scratch and ended up giving it all to the squirrels. My girls prefer stuff from the garden and leftover veggies from our dinners as treats.

I do offer oyster shell and ground up egg shells on the side. They take spells where they like one more than the other so I rotate them. As they spend most of their time in a run, I don't give grit as it's naturally available. There's a pile of construction sand in the run for them to take dust baths in so I know they can get some there.

I don't buy mealworms and such but I'm happy to grab some worms from the garden or cicada's from the freezer - yes, I froze several gallons - for a treat. They loved the cicada's and are disappointed they're gone. I'm not disappointed, however.

I'm a big advocate of ACV in the water and gave my chicks that from day #1. I also used Sav-A-Chick for only the first few days. While I know many swear by DE, I personally don't use it. There's a lot of conflicting info on its effectiveness and the fact that it's potentially harmful to human lungs makes me not want to expose either myself or my girls to it. But that, like everything else, is personal choice.

Good luck with your chicks. It's obvious that they're going to get fantastic care!

 

[mtadkins5]

Thank you al so very much! Now let me throw another at ya I am getting ducklings later on and was wondering if they eat the same? I know the ducks can't have medicated strated and thats about all I know right now.

 

[SobbaChickens]

Might have to head to the duck area of the site for that one lol I'll admit I know nothing about ducks