Finally got me some chickens!

[so lucky]

Woot! I got 6 fuzzy butts yesterday. 2 EE's, 2 production reds, and 2 white Plymouth rocks. They are all supposed to be pullets. I started putting ACV in their water right off. They are just getting medicated chick starter, but I am really anticipating getting to feed them other things. They are already scratching in the pine shavings. So cute! I read over on BYC that they should be at least two weeks old before giving them anything besides chick starter. Is this correct? I can't give you pics because I am techno-challenged. but I'm sure you can picture how they look. Now I'll have to think of names.............

 

[gettinaclue]

Congrats!!!

 

[MsPony]

Congrats!! I feed organic chick food until they lay eggs.

I've had 12 chicks over the years and never had to worry about medicated food.

 

[Wifezilla]

I don't understand the delay in introducing other foods. If they were raised by a momma chicken, they would be out eating all kinds of stuff in days.

I introduce greens at about 2-3 days for my ducklings. This seems to prevent picky eaters. My best foragers are ducks I gave greens to early.

 

[MsPony]

Don't get me wrong, mine get real food as well from the start. But I don't feed adult hen food because of the calcium.

I dealt w/ excess calcium in my bunny, the next step if uterine stones, no thanks!

 

[Dace]

Congrats on your new babies

I adored my chickens, they were so great, I was sad to get rid of them when we moved.

Wifey....they would be eating all sorts of things if they were outside with their momma....scratching all all, but without grit they can't process many things. That is why it is advised to wait.

 

[MorelCabin]

Congrats! you're making me jealous! I can't have mine for over 6 weeks! Whaaaaa!

 

[MetalSmitten]

you can feed them other stuff when they're little, they just might not really eat it right away and you have to tear it up pretty small for them. a momma hen would normally do that for them. if you do give them other stuff, make sure you either provide chick grit (basically it's normal grit only smaller, sometimes they color it red to encourage them to eat it) or put them on dirt so they can find their own little stones.

 

[Neko-chan]

...

 

[so lucky]

I have some really fine grit, just haven't given any to them yet. I agree that if they were with a momma hen, they would be getting natural food. They sure act like they want to scratch and dig for something. Thanks, y'all, for the congrats.