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Barnyard Buddies:  feeding chicks  |
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chick-chick
True Blue Farmgirl
322 Posts
Liz
New Britain
CT
USA
322 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 27 2011 : 07:55:08 AM
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We recently hached chicks and have been feeding them chick starter feed. At what age can they start eating the egg layer feed?( We have a couple of older hens) Also can roosters eat the egg layer fed also? (We're not sure yet if we have roosters. but I have my susptions)
Thanks
Liz
In God We Trust |
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Ms.Lilly
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Lillian
Scotts Mills
OR
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2011 : 08:14:17 AM
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I usually buy 1-25lb bag of chick starter and when it is gone that is it. Our chick starter here is medicated and that is the only kind available, so I only do it for a short time. After that they get either a standard flock raiser or layer pellets, depending on their age. You don't want to start them on the layer too soon because the extra calcium is hard on their system when they are young. Deffinatly by 14 weeks I have them on the layer feed. Yes it is ok for the roosters to eat the layer feed, that is all my roosters eat.
By the way you don't want the older hens eating the chick starter if it is medicated, it will transfer to their eggs. |
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star-schipp
True Blue Farmgirl
942 Posts
Starletta
Middletown
Indiana
USA
942 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2011 : 08:16:36 AM
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Usually, I feed starter until aged 6 weeks - then grower feed until 20 weeks and layer feed after that. I haven't ever feed my roosters any different feed than my hens.
If you can't feed one hundred people, then just feed one. -Mother Teresa
Star - farmgirl sister #1927
Master Food Preserver |
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magnoliakathy
True Blue Farmgirl
453 Posts
Kathryn
Magnolia
Texas
USA
453 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 06:42:12 AM
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I usually feed up one bag of chick starter, then move them to scratch grain and oats until they are fully feathered. After they have all of their feathers I put them in with the older chickens and they get what the flock eats. All of mine get the same feed, boy or girl. When I take my bitties out of the brooder, there is a pen on the ground inside the hen house, where all of the chickens can see each other, it helps intergrate the flock when the young ones are ready to move into the flock.
When you free your mind your heart can fly. Farmgirl # 714, |
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chick-chick
True Blue Farmgirl
322 Posts
Liz
New Britain
CT
USA
322 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2011 : 09:38:56 AM
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Thanks ladies! I knew I could count on you
In God We Trust |
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Barnyard Buddies: feeding chicks |
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feeding chicks
