How to raise Backyard Chickens: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Chicken feed

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Re: [CHICKENS-101] Chicken feed

I understand that you are not supposed to give layer mash until the hens start laying.

Maybe weather and seasons have something to do on how soon they lay but also different breeds mature at different times.

Putting nests under the poop board would be fine if you are still able to easily reach the nests to remove the eggs.

Denise M

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On Fri, Jun 20, 2014 at 4:30 PM, denwolfrsrsm@yahoo.com [CHICKENS-101] <CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Help, please? Had a batch of chicks in Feb then a second batch in Mar. Along with laying hen they are all outside in coop and run, been feeding them DuMor chick starter/grower 20% and group said ok to have hen on it too which she is, laid fine eggs eating it.

According to DuMor chick feed bag I should be feeding them the DuMor Grower/finisher 15%. I thought I read in one email that 20% was ok because it's so hot? Keep them on 20% or go 15%? Plus, when is it safe to start their calcium?

Since they are all roosting up high in coop, thought maybe we should put in nesting boxes, at bottom up under poop board. Still plenty of floor space. I realize it's kinda of a guessing game when they will start laying right? I see some indentations in coop floor bedding, no eggs. I keep thinking end of June. Does heat play a big factor in laying too?

Do want to rush the egg laying chick mama,

Susan