White leghorns-12 weeks-small combs?

[alexxanndra]

Hi all

I'm completely new to raising chickens and have 6 white leghorn hens and one rooster. They are 12 weeks old today. I'm just worried because I've been reading that the hens should grow large floppy combs. My hens combs are still very very small. My roosters is huge already. So just wondering if this is normal or not for 12 weeks. I'm very excited for them to start laying! Also any feedback on what I should be feeding them? Neighbours have said scratch .. but I'm wondering if this is more of a treat? I also have ducks in with the chickens and they are on multi fowl grower feed at the moment. Any advice would be appreciated !!!

 

[katie5668]

I run geese, ducks & chickens...they get along & eat what they like of what is offered....
Daily menu...scratch...50/50 mix with laying crumbles (mine did not like laying pellets)
they free range so they get lots of other grit & fiber from weeds & the dirt they scratch at.
I keep fresh water at all times...do a cider vinegar water once a week but other than that they are on well water just like us.

Mine are the same age as yours & they are thriving...

Ps..the combs vary widely...some will have really huge..others not so much so...are you showing them, ,,,keeping for pets..or for eggs?
obviously if for eggs the only thing that matters is ...Do they lay daily!!

Good luck with your adventure in chickenville!!

 

[alexxanndra]

Thanks! Mine still haven't started laying yet but they are going into the nest boxes that I've made for them. So hopefully that's a good sign. Are yours already laying? I will have to stop at the feed store tonight for some laying crumbles. Should I feed this to them separate from the ducks? I don't know if they can also eat it ?

 

[katie5668]

I know a lot of folks go to a lot of trouble with fancy feeds...but for most of my life I have fed a 50/50 mix of laying crumbles & scratch.
If you are in town & they cannot free range...then you need to add oyster shell for calcium & roughage.

My chickens...ducks & geese all get that mix scattered on the ground first thing AM ....then at nite they go to their lil houses & I put a dish of the mixed feed in each house for each group. I used shallow pans to feed instead of fancy feeders...I got oil drain pans at the Auto Store & those work great! Have never had an issue with that feed combination..healthy birds ..lots of eggs.. Only been doing it for about 40 years..so don't reckon I am an expert..just an ole lady doing what works for me.

We just covered the floor with shavings in both houses .. I have heard that keeps snakes out . They don't like the rough surface on their tummies I guess. I read an article here about just cleaning the bedding lightly & then resurfacing to help cut down on critters that birds can get rather than using high dollar powders & meds..I try to use organic or natural as much as possible..

the Apple Cider Vinegar needs to be the kind that has Mother in it...you only use 1 Tblspn for a gallon of water. I put it out first thing in the AM and leave it overnite ..then wash the water container well & off for another week of healthy happy birds!!

Another thing that I have done for years...is to dry the egg shells just in an open bowl ..then microwave for a few seconds to make sure they are dry.
Crumble them & mix in with AM feeding..wa la..natural calcium ..recycling the shells. Can also put them with coffee grounds around roses..they love it!! Don't want any of the liner or the egg as that can lead to cannibalism..hens that like eggs!!

Good luck...do not let yourself get sucked into spending a hunk of cash on stuff that is not necessary!!!