How much food and what age?

[Anonymous]

I've been "chicken window shopping" today! :lol: I visited 3 feed merchants and got their prices for everything from chick crumb to oyster shell, ACV to red mite powder, sawdust to feeders, I was actually quite surprised by the price difference in some of the things but thats a whole other story.

Basically I wanted to know which size of which thing I should get....

Chick crumb - would 25kg get eaten by 4 chicks (2 chickens, 2 bantams) before they go onto growers pellets?
What age do they go on grower pellets?
Would 25kgs grower pellet get eaten by the time they go onto layer pellets?
What age do they go onto layer pellets?
When do they start on grit/oyster shell? Is there a preference over either? I can get a mixed bag of both, is that better?
When can they start to eat mixed corn and other such treats?

Sorry, I know thats a lot of questions, but I really do appreciate all your help.

Thanks again, Ria

 

[Davidd]

Hello Ria, ok here goes
1> 25kg of chick crumb will be too much for 4 chicks - and it starts to lose its nutritional value after a while- I would try to buy less- i know it will work out more expensive but you will have less waste. They will need to be on crumb for 6- 7 weeks-I normally start mixing in growers pellets from about 6 weeks- just to get them used to it- gradually increasing the pellets and decreasing the crumb- there are no hard and fast rules so a week earlier or later is no problem.
2> see above
3> Yes, you may need more- but only buy it one bag at a time to keep it fresh- keep them on growers pellets until laying or nearly laying- again no hard and fast rules- you will see when nearing lay- bright red combs.Anywhere from 18 weeks on- depending on breed.
4>see above
5>If they are outside on the grass and scratching around they will pick up grit - I dont give my chickens grit until nearly laying - give both types- get the mixed bag- it will last forever! Just give them it ad-lib and top it up every now and then.
6>I dont give my youngster corn until they are laying- they get everything they need from the growers pellets - once laying -and in very cold/winter weather give a handful of corn in the evenings- it takes longer to digest and keeps them warm at night. Too much corn is not good- they will always prefer corn to pellets
As for treats, you can give the odd tin of sweetcorn- and greens- cabbage, etc but in moderation.
Hope that answers all your questions
Good luck,
regards, David

 

[snifter]

Good advice given above

I'd always advise to buy the smaller 1KG bags of chick crumb and growers pellets that feed merchants and pet shops sell for that small number of chicks. Often you'll find the pet shops sell the better quality chick crumb from well known manufacturers and often organic or crap free.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much guys, thats exactly what I wanted to hear! I thought 25kg would be a bit much for 4 tiny little chicks, my local feed merchants do 1kg and 4kg bags so think I'll stick to that. It'll work out slightly more expensive but I was surprised about how cheap it was anyway so thats not a problem.

I'll follow your advice regarding the other feeds as well, thanks very much.