Feeding my 4 week old flock

[Michele-A-EIE]

Hi all, We have 8 chicks all about 4 1/2 weeks old. We have been feeding them crumble feed we purchased from the farm were we got the chicks. We have only been chicken parents for 1 1/2 weeks. My questions are:

1. when should I add the git into their diet,
2. when should I add the crushed oyster into their diet,
3. when should I change to the adult feed,
4. when should I add in snacks like watermelon or worms etc.?
5. when should I worm them? So far the poop looks okay, I guess normal. I did notice a couple spots that looked runny, but that was just here and there not every day. I am checking and cleaning daily (where they sleep in the igloo omelet). I am cleaning the whole thing (racking & adding fresh clipping of grass - for now to the run area - weekly).
6. I have a note book with all the things I have been reading for them: for 1st aid box and things to use for mites, etc.

They have been outside on the dirt in their igloo omelet pro since we got them (when we got them from the farm, they were outside in the dirt). We are adding a med. to large secure chicken run in a few weeks. Any and all advice will be appreciated.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[WingItRanch]

Hi there! Welcome! That bag is for broiler chicks. Are these chicks you got for egg production/backyard pets or are they for meat?
It will change the way we answer some of your questions.

 

[Logar]

when should I add the git into their diet,

You should start providing grits as soon as they go outside (so now)

when should I add the crushed oyster into their diet

There are a lot of different options on the topic but I started providing it to them when they turned 12 or 14 weeks

when should I change to the adult feed,

You can change now if you want, assuming you aren’t going to feed layer. I would just finish up whatever you have left and then order it. A 20% all flock pellet is the best option in my opinion.

when should I add in snacks like watermelon or worms etc.

You can start now if you want. Just make sure it isn’t over 10% of their diet.

But that coop is going to be too small in the long run for 8 chickens. If it was only 3-4 chickens it would be fine but 8 is going to be way too crowed. I had one (well the cube) but sold it as there was no way it could fit even half of what they said.

 

[Michele-A-EIE]

Hi there! Welcome! That bag is for broiler chicks. Are these chicks you got for egg production/backyard pets or are they for meat?
It will change the way we answer some of your questions.

Not for meat, just eggs. That is what they sell at the farm,

Hi there! Welcome! That bag is for broiler chicks. Are these chicks you got for egg production/backyard pets or are they for meat?
It will change the way we answer some of your questions.

I have pullet starter crumble bag (the one on the far right of the picture with 3 bags.

 

[Michele-A-EIE]

You should start providing grits as soon as they go outside (so now)

There are a lot of different options on the topic but I started providing it to them when they turned 12 or 14 weeks

You can change now if you want, assuming you aren’t going to feed layer. I would just finish up whatever you have left and then order it. A 20% all flock pellet is the best option in my opinion.

You can start now if you want. Just make sure it isn’t over 10% of their diet.

But that coop is going to be too small in the long run for 8 chickens. If it was only 3-4 chickens it would be fine but 8 is going to be way too crowed. I had one (well the cube) but sold it as there was no way it could fit even half of what they said.

Yes, we are adding a bigger chicken run in about 3 or 2 weeks. It will only be for the babies, them once build they move to the big girl house

You should start providing grits as soon as they go outside (so now)

should I put the grit in its own bowl? or mix it in?

 

[WingItRanch]

Not for meat, just eggs. That is what they sell at the farm,

I have pullet starter crumble bag (the one on the far right of the picture with 3 bags.

Ah! Sorry I only saw one bag.


1. Add grit now in a separate bowl. Don't mix in with food.
2. Wait to add oyster shell until they are closer to laying age. Depends on your breeds. I gave mine free choice oyster at about 17 weeks old. That should also be in a separate bowl.
3. Honestly, you don't ever have to change to adult feed but I would recommend switching to pellets since crumbles can be so messy. I keep mine on 20% protein, regardless of age.
4. You can can give them treats in moderation now but make sure they have the grit available. Snacks should only be about 10% of their diet.
5. Deworming depends on your location. Personally, I'll only give them de-worm meds when I actually see evidence of worms.
Poop may be runny sometimes depending on if they're drinking a lot of water or it could be cecal poo. Completely normal. Watch for blood- that may be an indication of coccidiosis.
6. A notebook is a great idea! I use an app called Flockstar to track chicken stuff.

Sounds like you have a plan for when they get bigger! Good luck!!!

 

[Logar]

should I put the grit in its own bowl? or mix it in?

I would put it in a separate bowl, preferably something they can’t step or poop in. If you mix it in with feed it it will end up hurting their beaks

 

[Michele-A-EIE]

I would put it in a separate bowl, preferably something they can’t step or poop in. If you mix it in with feed it it will end up hurting their beaks

Oh no, I can not have that. Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

1. Grit: "Now." Since you have them out on the ground they're likely already getting some grit off the ground, provided there's appropriate size stones. Otherwise they should've been getting it at the start (assuming there isn't already appropriate stone on the ground) since the farm also had them outside.

2. Oyster: Provide on the side any time before laying. As I have a mixed age flock it's always sitting out, and the chicks ignore it until they're old enough to start laying and instinctively seek it out.

3. Adult feed: You can stay with the starter if you like the feed, or switch to an all-flock type feed. If you plan on using layer then I'd wait until roughly half the pullets are laying and then switch at that time, but there's not really a magic cut off. Some folks switch at 18 weeks (especially if they have higher production breeds), others after they all start laying.

4. Snacks: A little bit now is fine. I mostly keep treats as a training thing for chicks (to make them more hand friendly), as they're so small it's very easy to exceed 10% of their intake with treats.

5. Worming: I only worm when I see evidence of worms though I know folks in warm, wet climates often choose to have a set regimen of some sort. But I also adhere strictly to egg withdrawal times for worming so it's something I want to avoid as much as possible.

6. Notebook: Good idea! Honestly I just run on here if I need to figure out anything, like medication dosages, as I keep useful things bookmarked on the site.