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Post by aunatural on May 9, 2018 1:47:24 GMT
I recently bought several young chicks (6 wks) and have them outside becoming acquainted with my older hens (through a wire fence). I am wondering how to change over the food though when I do put them together. The chicks eat crumbles (medicated) and the older hens eat a high protein layer pellet. I'm concerned that the higher protein pellet will be too much protein for the chicks (I've read that it is hard on their kidneys) but how do I prevent them from eating it and still make sure that the layers get the protein that they need? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.  |
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Post by Skandi on May 9, 2018 8:30:38 GMT
Food for chicks is normally higher in protein than adult feed so I would check the labels, the extra calcium in the layers feed is more likely to be an issue. You cannot stop the chicks eating the adults feed, but you can use a creep to stop the adults eating the chicks.
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Post by shellymay on May 9, 2018 15:20:12 GMT
They will have to stay in separate pens is my only answer, can you build a new pen away from the older girls? I keep my chicks on the medicated feed until 4 months of age but many switch them at 3 months..... I can only assume you are eating the eggs from your older girls? if the older girls eat the medicated feed some folks say that the medicated feed in the eggs will cause some people to get diarrhea if you eat a lot of eggs from chickens who eat medicated feed, so I would not let the older girls eat the chick feed.....Good luck with finding the right solution.....
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