When to mix chicks with older chickens..and when to put them on regular feed?

[hubert guthrie]

I have three RI Reds and two Ideal 236s that are now 5-6 weeks old...can I move them to the run with one older Buff Orpington....and will they still need starter food or will layer food be okay?

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Layer is NOT ok for young birds. It is best not to start birds on layer until they are laying or are about to lay. It has too much calcium and can have serious long term health consequences. If you are going to mix your flock before them feed all of the birds a grower or non-medicated starter and supply a calcium source like oyster shell on the side, separate from the food. This will be fine for your older birds.

You can move the young birds outside as soon as they are fully feathered which is usually around 6-8 weeks. But, keep in mind that the closer they are in size to your current birds the better because they will need to establish a new pecking order and the olders birds will likely not be kind. The bigger they are the better they can handle the treatment and will be more easily accepted.

 

[hubert guthrie]

If I mix these 5 young pullets (11 weeks) with the older hen...will they bother her eggs?...or should I try to keep here separate?

 

[debid]

They shouldn't bother her eggs if you're lucky enough to have her keep laying through the stress of integration. But, they might sleep in the nest box and muddy it up after she chases them off the roost.

Really, it's impossible to guess what will happen. You just have to introduce them to see.

 

[kimfischer]

i have a chick that is 1 month old and i was wondering when i should switch the chick to a different feed like cracked corn or layer feed or like treats

 

[cstronks]

kimfischer,

You CANNOT put a one month old chick on layer feed. The bird should not be given a layer feed until 16 weeks (earliest) or after the initial egg laying starts. Giving a chick below 16 weeks of age layer feed will stuff their system with calcium and more than likely kill the chick. Feed chick starter until 16 weeks, no exceptions.