The Poultry Keeper

Aussie Chick · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 12:35 pm Post subject: What to feed?

Just wondering about feed for growing birds.

I have friends who are farmers, they are coming over for a BBQ tomorrow ( weather permitting of course, Barbies in the rain are my favourite!)

Anyway they have suggested that I feed my 10 week old chickens Wheat and grain. They are currently on Growers pellets and grit. Can I give them wheat and grain? Do i just add it to the pellets?
My friends have the grain and wheat and giving it to me, so I don't want to turn back freebies!
Confused

AC

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I don't know is my honest answer. When I got my first chicks they were 8 weeks and on growers pellets BUT they did have treats of mixed corn, so even if the chicks can't have it all the time, it can still be used for all of your chicks for treats I guess. Wait till someone else who really knows comes along to be safe.

CP · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 12:46 pm Post subject:

Hi, AC.

I wouldn't knock back a freebie but I wouldn't feed them solely on it. They need growers pellets for the vitamins & minerals to help them grow. The grain & wheat I would use like sweeties- a little treat.

BTW we has a Christmas BBQ a couple of years ago. It was great! Good luck with the weather. Very Happy

nigel · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 12:50 pm Post subject:

Hi Aussie Chick

Give your birds Growers (till they are 16wks) in a feeder so they can eat as much as they want. In an afternoon let them have corn/mixed grain at about an ounce per bird. I throw mine around so they have to scratch around to find it.

If you feed both at the same time they will eat the grain rather than the growers, and may not be getting a balanced diet.

Nigel

NannyP · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 3:02 pm Post subject:

How long should chicks have chick crumbs for? Confused

debcat · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 3:10 pm Post subject:

till about 6 weeks, then growers till 16-18 weeks

pollypekin · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 183 Location: Kent

I need to change my chicks over to growers now then - they are about 7 weeks - i will buy some on tuesday Very Happy

debcat · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 3:42 pm Post subject:

Me as well LOL
Forgot to order some this week

NannyP · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 4:25 pm Post subject:

I have a massive bag of chick crumbs, the woman where I bought them said I could carry on feeding them the crumbs Confused

I wonder whether they'll be okay to continue, I know they have another 4 weeks, but the bag is enormous Confused

debcat · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 4:32 pm Post subject:

You're supposed to mix the 2 together and gradually reduce the chick crumbs till its all growers
You could always make the change over last a bit longer

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

but their appetites will grow as they do, so maybe there won't be so much left. I would have thought that it could be used in conjunction with the growers, because you have to change from one to the other gradually, don't you

NannyP · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 5:14 pm Post subject:

Thanks, that's what I'll do, and mine have been enjoying mixed grain along with there Mother!! Laughing

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Knobby · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 5:37 pm Post subject:

Give it another week NannyP....Summayah was right....soon they will be eating Non-stop.........Greedy Buggers ! Very Happy

jaydee67 · Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 8:28 pm Post subject:

Can't get growers here - lucky to catch them with chick crumbs! So I feed the crumbs until they run out then feed layers meal/ pellets.