Brand new Mama Hen!

[Wendyjs]

I am not even sure how to create a post. I am loving this new adventure! Not sure why I didn't do it sooner. I will be asking questions often! My first question is at what age can I start feeding my 7 feather babies food other than chick mash? My babies were incubated in my 4th grade classroom and are now 5+ weeks old.
Thanks all-
Wendy Or WenHen as I am calling myself now- (just partially joking!)

 

[Kiki]

Welcome Wendy!
It's best for the chicks to eat only a crumbled feed until they are full grown to make sure they are getting the proper nutrition.

I wouldn't start giving them treats yet.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

from Central Texas! I'm not a big treat giver in general, but you can mix their feed with some water (like an oatmeal consistency). My ladies think this is the best thing since sliced bread Be sure to discard any that isn't eaten so it doesn't sour. Happy chickening!

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC, Wendy. Are they eating crumble or mash?
I keep mine on a 18 to 20% (protein) flock maintainer for life. When they begin laying they will need calcium/oyster shell in a side dish.
I do give mine treats. They usually get a few meal worms (about 1 or 2 each, 3 or 4x a week) starting around 6 weeks. Do provide a side dish of grit at all times before starting snacks.
I agree wet feed makes them very happy, and do make sure it's gone within the hour so it doesn't sour.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[Jenbirdee]

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Congrats on your new chicks! After 6 weeks you can start to introduce healthy treats, these first few months the birds are developing their immune systems and growing organs, it's imperative that they eat nutrient dense chick starter to grow up healthy.

Enjoy your babies!

 

[N F C]

Hi Wendy, it's nice to meet you! What breed of chicks do you have (share a photo if you'd like)?

 

[Boppo]

Glad to meet you, WenHen, and welcome to BYC. What a terrific idea, to keep the chicks you hatched in your classroom! You will enjoy the chickens so much! Best wishes from New England.

Here are my favorite beginning articles that helped me as a newbie. I hope you will find them helpful as well. All articles are short, have illustrations, and reviews, which are often worth looking at for the comments.

1. Intro to chicken keeping

2. Common mistakes & how to fix them

3. Ventilation (important to chicken health), with helpful links to coop designs organized by climate (because what is just right for my New England hens won't work for my brother's Arizona chickens)

3(a). Farmers Almanac on Building Coops (Includes size requirements!) Allowing plenty of space for chickens is really important because, even as chicks, they will start pecking each other or plucking their own feathers, or become unhealthy if they are overcrowded. Here is a link to Colorado State Extension's publication on space and temperature requirements for chicks as they age.

4. Predator protection for new & existing coops

5. Dealing with a muddy coop and run

6. Gardening for chickens

7. BYC Lists of Chicken Ailments and Cures

To look for articles on your own:

A. Use the SEARCH button, but use the Advanced Search choice, and select ARTICLES at the top of the box. Just enter your keyword(s) and scroll through your results!

B. I find it helpful to notice the rating and reviews. All articles are by BYC members, and all the reviews/ratings are as well. The ratings help a newbie like me sort the most useful and reliable articles.

C. You can bookmark the articles or posts you think you want to refer to again using that bookmark icon at the top of articles or posts. You can find them again by clicking on your own avatar and looking at the list of bookmarks you have built up!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello Wendy, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[LTAY1946]

Hello Wendy and welcome to BYC