Chicken bald back

[Phosphorus]

Two queries for those in the know

 

My boys and girls are now 3 weeks and are in the eglu with run on grass. I have given them chick grit so far which they love to help with any extra treats that mum lets them have. Appreciate that they are probably picking up grit from the eglu run as well though.

 

Do I need to move them onto growers grit (saw it mentioned in for post 3 weeks) or do most people leave them on chick grit for longer?

 

 

Also they are with mum Gemma in the eglu and normal run at the moment. When could I let them have restricted freeranging with mum? What are the best ways here - bit nervous that a bird would sweep down and pick them up when they were really young Would I be able to get them in again (I suppose they will follow mum back to run?) and will they herd off through the netting which they could still fit through, without mum Any help appreciated

[Lewis]

If it were me I wouldn't free range them yet. The eglu should be plenty of space for them.

They may follow mom, but could also get through the netting, then feel left and run under a bush and be gone.

Cats are another thing to be careful with them, being so small.

 

With the grit, I think you'd be fine to carry on with the chick grit and move straight to bigger grit when that runs out. I've never heard of or seen growers grit used .

[Phosphorus]

If it were me I wouldn't free range them yet. The eglu should be plenty of space for them.

They may follow mom, but could also get through the netting, then feel left and run under a bush and be gone.

Cats are another thing to be careful with them, being so small.

 

With the grit, I think you'd be fine to carry on with the chick grit and move straight to bigger grit when that runs out. I've never heard of or seen growers grit used .

 

 

Brilliant thanks for that - those were the answers I wanted We do have a few cats that come around as well - aside from our own who is kept well in line by the bigger girls I would have only let them out for a bit whilst I watched but I think I would feel a lot happier with them in the eglu run for longer

 

Boy can those araucana chicks flap and fly about as well