Single hen

[craftyhunnypie]

Hi - I'm getting some 8 week old chicks - all female & maybe their mummy on Saturday. I just wondered what they might look like size wise - they are bantams and have vorwerk in them. Also, can they eat layers pellets or must they have growers?

 

Emma.x

[Lovemychooks]

Oooo, how exciting ! I'm not sure how "big" they'd be but I would have said that you should be feeding them growers pellets for a while yet.

 

I'm sure someone will be along with more knowledge soon.......

[Jools]

They sound gorgeous - photos soon I hope!

 

Yes, they really should be on growers until they're at least 16-18 weeks, if not a bit longer. If your feed supplier doesn't stock growers at this time of year, they should be able to order them in for you. I've just picked up a big bag which should do for my three new banties and my six "growing & crowing" cockerels.

 

Here are my three newbies - Tweetie is a Silkie cross and the other two (as yet un-named) are Silver Sussex ...

 

[feemcg]

Also depends on what they're being fed at the moment - I'd ask the current owner and keep them on that (some people don't bother with growers if the chooks are out in a large flock). I've only ever kept mine on growers until 14 weeks max. when they've gone in with the big girls.

[Jools]

Here's a link to the discussion about growers / layers on the P P forum. However, I don't think it will help clarify at all - it seems to be one of those subjects on which there is no concensus!

 

http://kelseyinfo.co.uk/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1187689727;start=all

[craftyhunnypie]

I will ask the lady when I collect them. I'm just worried incase she gives them mash instead of pellets, only because after experience of messy eater hens, mash would cause a smell if wet more so than the pellets.

What will be will be obviously. I'm really excited!

 

What lovely little cuties you have there!!!!!

 

Emma.x

[Rabbieboy]

My layers eat the growers pellets and my growers eat both layers and growers pellets, they eat the layers pellets when the big girls chase them away from the growers feeder. It doesn't seem to be doing any harm as my layers are laying better than ever now.