Chicken bald back

[chuckmum6]

My broody mums are now happily taking care of their chicks, but what should they be eating, they are currently on mixed grains (and chick crumbs). When should they be eating anything else besides the mealworm and other treats they get? When will they need to be back on pellets, I'm guessing around another 5 weeks?

[Redwing]

They'll eat the chick crumbs, the extra protein will bring them back to condition which is good. Only give her treats if she is away from the chicks - she doesnt need them though

 

When the chicks are a couple of weeks old you can throw some greens in, the mum will appreciate these and will break bits off for the chicks

 

Ensure they get a little chick grit from the time anything other than chick crumbs is introduced, you only need very little, tiny budgie grit will do

 

When the chicks get to 6 week gradually introduce growers pellets this will get mum back in to the habit of eating them too, soon asfter she will get fed up with the chicks so can be separated and put back on to layers pellets

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Tasha, I gave Blossom some mealworms earlier & she flung a load out of the pot for the babies.....they of course thought that was a great game & ran around chasing each other & devouring them

 

They are 5 days old & out in the run, so I'm working on the theory that if Bloss found a worm or bug she'd share it with them anyway...there's a pot of chick grit in the run for Bloss essentially, but the chicks have access to it too.

 

They have a trough of chick crumb in the run with a water container and a pot of food & water in the too which I've seen them tucking in to.

 

I've been told they can have chick corn (crushed corn) from a week old as an occasional treat as per the big girls......is this so, and could I soak it like we do with the wheat to get more fluid in when it's warm (huh not needed at the mo then )?

 

I'm not setting them up for tummy problems

 

Sha x

[Redwing]

Maybe I am too cautious then...

 

I feed mine 'fine chicken scratch' (tiny corn bits) but only from about six weeks

 

You have a point about the mum sharing bugs etc..

 

Ok then I will revise my advice to no whole grains and no pellets and chick grit available at all times!

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Maybe I'm too lax

 

I haven't given them any of the chick corn yet, I'll wait until they are older and they only had the MWs as Bloss is still looking a little peaky so I want to feed her up asap.........I only found it when I went to the feed merchant who I don't like as they sell the medicated crumb, whereas my usual supplier only sells unmedicated. I don't think the small bag I bought when I set Blossom's eggs will last very long once the Inccy eggs ( ) and Holly's eggs hatch.....and I don't make special trips to this place, I have to go when I'm almost passing the door I dislike it that much (arrogant owner not the standard of the goods btw )

 

Sha x

[chuckmum6]

Chook n Boo Mum, my chicks too have had mealworm. Both mums cluck wildly and give them to the chicks, who instinctively know it is a tasty morsel and run off to hide and eat it - just like the big chooks do! Again, I worked on the fact that this is the sort of thing their mums would get them. Doily has turned into an expert fly catcher as she now stalks all flying things that enter her run (with great success) for her chicks and calls proudly to them to come and eat the unlucky insect! Thanks for the advice all!

[meezers]

Mine have also discovered mealworms. I'm working on the same idea that given the opportunity , mum would be finding them bugs and other delicacies to eat. Muppet also trys to give them her mixed corn and gets her hair off with them when they won't eat it- at least that's what it sounds like

I read ( might have been on another forum) that you can microwave a scrambled egg- just egg, nothing else, and then grate it on the smallest grater, I also mashed mine, gives mum a bit of a boost as well.Mine have had this a couple of times and they love it.

Oh, I have also grated a tiny piece of raw broccoli- again thinking mum would have found them greenery if she could, that went down a treat as well.