DorianGray Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Hello I've been a chicken dad for just over 4 years now & currently have 5 girls who were all acquired as PoLs & all of whom seem to be in rude good health. As the season turns to spring a young (ahem) man's thoughts obviously turn to those of getting more birds. This time however I'm thinking of doing something a bit different, namely getting 3 'growers' - that is birds that will be about 8 weeks old, & not the usual 16 - 18 weeks of the PoLs I've got in the past. Apart from the obvious of keeping the new birds safely out of the way of my existing girls until they can look after themselves, does anyone have any advice / thoughts that they could pass on please? Eg can they be fed the layers mash that I currently use, or will they need special feed etc etc. Thank you! Duncan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 they need to be fed growers mash or pellets until at least 16 weeks old or until the first egg you also need to be carefull that you don't get lumbered with someone unwanted boys if you are thinking of going the auction route. it's not always possible to tell the boys from girls at 8 weeks with some breeds so you need to do some research so you know which breeds to put on your wish list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dance in the dark Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Growers really aren't too difficult. You just need to feed them on the growers mash or pellets and do not give them are oyster shell grit or any other calcium supplement. They do not need it until they start laying, and if you let them at it too early, it can had adverse effects on their health. I also find it is best to not really give them any treats, as they can only eat a small amount and they need the nutrition from the pellets or mash. Also you can't mix them with bigger girls till they are at least 16 weeks old, or they will be very vulnerable. As long as the weather if nice they should live outside absolutely fine, and frankly, growers are cute. Some breeds really won't be sexable by 8 weeks though, so be careful. Obviously autosexing and sex linked breeds would be fine. Depending on what breeds you want I would look into how difficult they are to sex, most can be sexed by about 10 weeks though. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorianGray Posted April 13, 2012 Author Share Posted April 13, 2012 Thank you both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
