The Poultry Keeper

jessjess · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 215 Location: Derbyshire

Hi all, got two eight week old chicks yesterday and I have a couple of questions as I am a newbie two it. I put them in with my two current chooks and other than a little bit of pecking they seem to be fine! Fingers crossed it is early days. I think I may have got a bit carried away getting such youngens. One is a Cream Legbar and one a White sussex. My questions are as follows.

1. I know I should be feeding the chicks growers pellets but my other birds are on layers. Do I put both out and hope they get the best ones?

2. My other chickens are not laying is this because I am letting them out a bit late 7 - 7.30?

3. I have noticed this morn that the white Sussex's outer toe curls out is this a problem? Normal? She can curl her foot and move the toes ok although she does chirp for britian!

sorry for the questions I do hope my enthusiasm for my new hobby hasn't caused me to make some fundamental mistakes.

Thanks again Jess. [img

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Elly · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 225 Location: Norfolk

How old are the other chickens and what breed ?
My chicks were broody raised and have been eating whatever they could get their beaks on for weeks Smile

They are now 7 weeks and eat anything and everything. Nature has a way of knowing whats good and whats not so see how they go. Give them access to crumb and what you feed the others and they will hopefully get it right Wink

Keep smilin
Elly

newby · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 88 Location: Dordogne

I have 5 week babies, they have crumb available, but every afternoon everyone gets mixed grain, they love it, they also eat anything they can get hold of. They are with Mum and she shows them what to do.

jessjess · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 215 Location: Derbyshire

Thanks all!!! The two older ones are around 22 weeks give or take I was told they were 5 mnts old last week. I will put the layers out and some growers for the 8 week olds. They have eaten some mixed corn and are eating the grass as we speak.

Elly · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 225 Location: Norfolk

At 22 weeks there is still time for them to come into lay Very Happy

POL just means they are getting near that age Rolling Eyes

Make sure you give them grit and oyster shell, the first for digestion and the second for calcium to aid egg production, feather growth etc.
When they start to lay the first few weeks maybe a bit hit and miss, with odd shaoed eggs and ones with no or soft shells. It takes a while for them to get into it Very Happy

Good luck, your first eggs will be delicious Laughing

Keep smilin
Elly

jessjess · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 215 Location: Derbyshire

Thanks they have grit and oyster shell so I will keep my eyes peeled for my first eggs. Very Happy

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 645 Location: Nottinghamshire

Ooo! It's so exciting waiting for that first egg! Smile

jessjess · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 215 Location: Derbyshire

Went up to see them a second ago and my two chicks are merrily chasing flies, whilst my two older birds have put themselves to bed. They seem to do that at the meerist hint of darkness. Lazy girls Very Happy

Dusty · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 568 Location: St. Asaph

My three Modern game are on chick crumbs, even though they are laying!!!!

I only got them two weeks ago from an auction and they didn't seem to be able to cope with pellets but are happy with the crumb,

All my others are on layers pellets but spend lots of time grubbing around for all sorts and have a handful of corn in the aftgernoon.

I've learn't in a short time to try anything and everything, you'll soon find what they love.

Try porridge with your girls, mine love it and I think it helps the youngsters.

jessjess · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 215 Location: Derbyshire

I will give porridge a go.
They are settling in well I have split the food the big feeder with layers pellets and a bowl of growers under the nesting box, where the lil ones go and the bigger ones can't follow, and it seems to be working well. I gave them a little spaghetti and they were all chasing each other around, my lil Legbar even tried to take a bit of the bigger of the two Bantams. All going well so far touch wood and porridge is on the menu for tomorrow.

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jessjess · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 215 Location: Derbyshire

The cat just got in with the chickens and this time seemed a little scared and a little less keen to jump on them. Fingers crossed she will tire of them or think better of jumping on them and then they can all freerange in our garden. Very Happy