The Poultry Keeper

savinggrace

Hello,

Of course, being extremely new to chickens, most of my knowledge is coming from books and different chicken fanciers websites, and I have come across my first dilemma.

From a couple of sources, I have heard to keep Kate and Christina on chick starter until they lay their first egg. In a way, seems like sound advice.

Another source states I should find Pullet feed at this point, as they are about 5 weeks old at this point, about the size of pigeons, and fully in feather, without any 'fuzz' left.
Technically, they are 'pullets' correct? What is your opinion on feeding chick feed V.S. seeking out a pullet feed?

Thank you!

Knobby · Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 10:56 am Post subject:

I would imagine Growers pellets (what we have over here) have more nutrional value than chick crumbs.....helping the chick to grow stronger quicker.....I dont know if that is correct, but it would make sense.......besides, chicks crumbs are more expensive than "growers" & they tend to eat more of them !

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

At what age do you switch them to growers? mine are 5 weeks today, I've got the growers pellets, and can use up the chick crumbs with the 7 babies Wink

Is it about now to switch over
?

Thanks
George

Knobby · Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 11:19 am Post subject:

6 weeks old then switch...or slowly add growers...!!!

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

Cheers mate Laughing

Means I can start switching them over when they move into their new home Wink

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Growers over here may be referred to as triple duty. It is already a mixture of chick starter, scratch and growers.

mojo · Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 6:49 pm Post subject: chook food

my regime is first week dust from chick crumb second to six week crick crumb,six to twelve weeks growers then coqs stay on growers hens go on to layers mix ..all these are fed ad lib..........one small hand corn per bird spread in courtyard at three or four oclock each day for twelve weekers.and over........fresh water ad lib and moving from one food to another is agradual change over...oyster shell and grit is avalable at all times .........greens and treats are given in moderation not too much of any one thing at any one time................ps feeding them chocolate doesnt make the eggs brown try breeding marans hope this helps but if you know better please POST here...........mojo

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

Mojo, how many people on here do you know that would part with chocolate for their chickens ?

lilly the pink · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 78 Location: Wiltshire

I feed my chicks on chick crumbs for 6 - 8 weeks depending on the time of year. Earlier hatches get 8 weeks because the risk of cooci infection is greater. Late spring and summer hatches get 6 weeks because usually ground is drier (not today tho) and cocci not such a problem. Any autumn hatches may get 8 weeks again if weather is on the turn. After that they stay on growers pellets until at least 18 weeks for light breeds (leghorns, araucana & hybrids - which mature faster) or 24 weeks for heavy breeds (sussex etc which take longer to mature and usually to come into lay). The growers pellet helps the chooks to build up the reserves they need when they start to lay of protein and calcium. The layers mix is a maintenance feed to support stamina. The birds have access to these feeds ad lib and i don't feed any corn to birds until they have started laying and then only a small handful each as a treat.