Isabel Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Sorry but a bit of a daft question!! I guess I ought to order some chick crumb in as the eggs are about 10 days off hatching and am trying to figure out whether to get 1 or 2 x 5 kg bags or a 20kg bag? Only want to pay one set of courier costs so plan to order 6-8 weeks worth. Will the hen eat chick crumb for the month that she's in with the chicks and when should she go back on layers? Thanks Isabel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 The hen will eat chick crumb, if you give her anything else she will try and feed it to the chicks. Try giving her the chick crumb a few days before the chicks are due to hatch so she knows what to be eating and feeding them. She can go back to layers when she leaves the chicks at about 6 weeks How many chicks are you expecting? I had 5 + mum, and thought as they were small they wouldn't eat much, so I bought crumb as and when I needed it by weight at a local pet shop- big mistake! They eat loads! I think I probably would've been better off with a 20kg bag, but I don't know for sure so I'd wait for someone else's opinion on that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 The only problem is that chick crumb can sometimes have really short dates on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share Posted May 2, 2012 Thanks both of you. Well, from candling I saw 8/9 of 12 eggs with good dark blobs so 8/9 tops and probably less seeing I haven't candled before and don't know what I'm looking for!!! I'll try to get a 20kg bag but will check it has 8-10 weeks on it before it's out of date. The chicken food sold locally ... well, heaven only knows what's in it (!) so I order online. Isabel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstie Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Are you getting it with coccidiostat ? I'm just trying to get hold of some chick crumbs locally with Coccidiostat in but can only get big bags and with only 3 chicks possibly on the way I think I only need the small bag. Hmmm with 5 days to go I feel unprepared! Better get myself sorted tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share Posted May 2, 2012 Aaaargh - I don't know! Should I? I was going to order the Smallholder Crumb as I feed the girls Smallholder Layers and they like them. Off to check the ingredients now! Have you started Belle on the crumb yet or will you in advance of hatching? Five days is nothing!! Excited? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstie Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Excited, nervous, an emotional wreck .... I haven't started belle on chick crumbs yet but am planning too on Friday or Saturday (assuming I can get hold of the size bag I want if not anyone in Cornwall is very welcome to the huge bag of chick crumbs I will have ) I'm getting it with coccidiostat as I think if they are outside with their mums it's just better (although I did it with my hatch last year which were indoors - I just didn't want them getting Ill with anything I could have prevented) What day are you on now? It goes quite quickly doesn't it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstie Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Duh sorry just read you are 10 days off from hatching - that's not long at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 I dont get them the medicated chick crumb, however, I do medicate their water with coxoid when they are a week old, then I give them probiotics in their water for a further two weeks (as Coxoid can be tough on their little systems) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted May 3, 2012 Author Share Posted May 3, 2012 Okay guys, confused now!! They need the coxoid, right? So, these will be outside as soon as they're able to go out - so what at a day or two old? In that case, is the medicated crumb better or is there no real difference? I'd rather get regular crumb and put it in their water, I think. Space Chick - please can you tell moe more about this? How many days do they get it for? Actually, how long do they get the medicated crumb for? And where do I get any of it and also the probiotic? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 The coxoid, I add 6ml per litre of water, every day for 6 days, replacing the water daily. Once the 7 days is up, I then add probiotic (Avipro) to the water for at least a week. Both are available from here I have personally found that my chicks thrive this way, as the better quality chick feed does not contain any medication. Personally, I use Garvo Alfa start for the first few weeks, and then move them onto the Garvo mini pellets Feel free to PM me if you want more info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted May 3, 2012 Author Share Posted May 3, 2012 Thanks so much Space Chick. I've got them in my shopping basket ... along with a few other bits and bobs! One final question, is it okay for the hen to drink the same water or will she need a separate supply? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 I've only ever hatched using an incubator, but would have thought Mum would be fine with the medicated water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted May 3, 2012 Author Share Posted May 3, 2012 Well, we'll soon see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melbourne12 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Based on our experience with Ixworths, which are quite fast-growing and large fowl, a 20kg bag of chick crumb will feed 8 chicks until the 6 week point of swapping to growers pellets. That allows for a certain amount of wastage, especially when they're in the brooder and tend to poo in the small feeders. On medication, I'm a fan of using unmedicated feed and adding medication and supplements as necessary to the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
