In the PNW, there are warm summers and wet winters.
Current coop setup:
We have five hens that are two years old; we want to get 6 more hens, targeting getting the new baby's week of June 5th.
We plan to have the babies inside until they have feathers, then transition them to under the poop board, screened/separated off but able to interact with our current hens.
My question is about feed; our older hens are eating layer feed.
The babies will be on the starter feed, but at 8-9 weeks old we want to integrate them into the main coop. I know it isn't good for young chicks to have layer feed; how do folks manage that? Or should I switch feeds? My feed has oyster shells in it, but I also offer a bowl of oyster shells just in case.
Two-year-old hen breads:
Chicks I want to get:
Current coop setup:
- 6' x 8' coop (48 sf) - poop board/roost, lots of ventilation. The poop board design is fantastic, with absolutely no moisture inside. If you are building a coop, go with this design.
- Run - 6' x 12' (72 sf)
We have five hens that are two years old; we want to get 6 more hens, targeting getting the new baby's week of June 5th.
We plan to have the babies inside until they have feathers, then transition them to under the poop board, screened/separated off but able to interact with our current hens.
My question is about feed; our older hens are eating layer feed.
The babies will be on the starter feed, but at 8-9 weeks old we want to integrate them into the main coop. I know it isn't good for young chicks to have layer feed; how do folks manage that? Or should I switch feeds? My feed has oyster shells in it, but I also offer a bowl of oyster shells just in case.
Two-year-old hen breads:
- Easter Eggers x 2
- Buff Orpington x 2
- Australorp x 1
Chicks I want to get:
- True Whiting Blue x 1
- True Whiting Green x 1
- Australorp x 2
- Speckled Sussex or Buff Orpington x 2