feeding chicks

Cheeky_Chick · **Joined:** Tue May 31, 2011 2:02 pm **Posts:** 4

Hi when buying four baby chickens from the rural store he said I need to keep feeding them the chick starter as he was already feeding them. So I payed for a bag from him and came how and settled them in but I forgot to ask a couple of questions so I rang him and asked but he seemed very vague so I have come here. Can I ask how long the chicks need to eat the starter food and can I give them a little vitamins in their water. He said I should not feed the chicks lettuce until they are a few months old is that right.

purefeather · **Joined:** Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:36 pm **Posts:** 736

G'day Cheeky_Chick, I'm not sure to be honest but I would probably start with poultry grower as soon as they are fully feathered. As for lettuce, personally I'd rather give my chicks clumps of grass. They get to pull off bits and pieces of grass not to mention the odd insect or worm in the bit of soil around the roots. At the very least it's great exercise and interest for the little omnivores.

Rhode Red · **Posted:** Tue May 31, 2011 8:29 pm

Hi,
In general you feed chickens on chick ration for 6-8 weeks, then Pullet grower ration 8-20 weeks and Layer ration just before they start to lay. Depending on the breed of chicken, most commercial layers will start laying from 20-24 weeks providd they are feed, housed and medicated as recommended. The chick feed is medicated with a coccidstat and is balanced feed for the chick and reaaly this is all they need, but we al like to add our own tit bits.

Personally I add lucern chaff to the pine shaving in the brooder litter from day 1 and maintain until they are put into a pen off the lights. At this stage around 8-10 weeks they get to run out on the lawn daily, so no need for additional green feed i.e. lettuce.

Cheeky_Chick · **Joined:** Tue May 31, 2011 2:02 pm **Posts:** 4

Thank you both, perfect!!

enigma01au · **Joined:** Sun May 24, 2009 4:27 pm **Posts:** 11

Also like to add that feeding Iceburg lettuce gives chickens diarrhea...

Cheers,Kath

chooksandeggs · **Joined:** Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:01 am **Posts:** 1

Only if you feed them too much a little is actually very good for them as it has foliate and acids, it also helps with nice dark yokes here some info if you like http://www.livestrong.com/article/22525 ... e-lettuce/ but you are best to use Romaine lettuce though

beaktime · **Joined:** Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:51 am **Posts:** 48

I agree with Rhode Red, I was going to say almost the same thing.

If you do feed them lettuce, make sure they have grit to go along with it so they may digest it properly.

silver_laced · **Joined:** Tue Jun 28, 2011 2:42 pm **Posts:** 1

I only give my chicks the starter for the first 5 weeks and they turn out good and healthy then at 5 weeks I give them some greens and boiled egg

Cheeky_Chick · **Joined:** Tue May 31, 2011 2:02 pm **Posts:** 4

Well the little chick loved their diet and are now not so little, can't thank you all enough thanks.

Cordelia · **Posted:** Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:34 pm

Oh that is nice all my little lovelies love their greens and hard egg so lovely your do too

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