Chicken Feed

[Jfreed]

I’m new to this chicken raising! We have 13 baby chicks and once they reach 10 weeks old we want to put them in the coop with our older chickens. My question is the feed? Do we feed everyone chick starter? Is that okay for my laying hens? Just asking for opinions.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes starter is fine for all ages. Just feed whatever the youngest ones are eating.

 

[Jfreed]

Yes starter is fine for all ages. Just feed whatever the youngest ones are eating.

Thank you! Now we feed scratch to our laying hens is that okay for the chicks?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

If you give everyone starter don’t forget to put some oyster shell out free choice for your layers

 

[nuthatched]

Thank you! Now we feed scratch to our laying hens is that okay for the chicks?

No, scratch is a treat for older hens, a nono for birds under 8 weeks.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you! Now we feed scratch to our laying hens is that okay for the chicks?

Depends on how old the chicks are and how much scratch. Once my chicks join the flock they learn to follow the adults' example and will peck at what the adults eat, so they're going to eat some treats if you put it out for the adults. I'd just keep the amount minimal as you want them mostly eating their feed for optimal nutrition.