Would like some info on feeding my 11 week old chicks please

[anzachickenmom]

Hello all I have been feeding my 11 week old chicks an 18% grow feed for about a month now. The problem I have is most of it is mash so as you can guess a large amount of it is wasted. I thought about starting them on laying crumbles but was told not to give that to them until they actually start laying. Can anyone suggest a product that is for my age group of chicks that is in crumble form? I tried adding cracked corn to the feed and the chicks don't seem to care for it much. I live in a small town and the availability of what I can get is small. Thank you

 

[PoultryGirly]

My chicks of that age eat Dumor Poultry Grower/Finisher. They seem to like it just fine and it's not wasted. You can buy it at your local Tractor Supply Co. Here is the link:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...ory_rn=&top_category=&urlLangId=&cm_vc=-10005

 

[Belinda7]

I use starter crumbles for my growing chicks (8 weeks old now) and was told to keep them on that until 15 weeks before starting egg - laying crumbles.

I have been "allowing " my chicks supervised free - range time around the property during the day time (a little risky due to surrounding wildlife, but during the day, so far that has not been an issue at all. I was pretty amazed when a hawk flew over, and in unison, they all ran back into their hen house! They saw the hawk before I did!

I have a question: if they are free ranging and still getting crumbles, do I still need to scatter grit for them?

 

[anzachickenmom]

Thanks to the responses. I have a free range area in my backyard that I have temporary fencing up and my babies play in that for a few hrs a day. I used to just leave them in that while I did some yard work. I don't leave them unattended now since a coyote ran through my yard within a foot of their pen. Luckily I was sitting and reading at the time so none were taken. Scared the livingIdaylights out of me

 

[Den in Penn]

You could try raising the feeder as high as their backs that way they can't scratch it out as easily. Switch to a different feeder, one that the feed only comes up to few inches from the top of the feed tray, again they can't throw it out as easily. Most commercial feeders don't have enough free board to contain the feed.