Feeding chicks

Hi,
I have an Amberlink (one of Grannie Annies) sat on a clutch of 6 Black Maran eggs due to hatch this weekend.  

I have a bag of chick crumbs and seperate water and drink feeders for them, newly bought and ready for a good scrubbing prior to putting out once (or should that be if) they arrive.

How long will they stay on the crumbs for and approx how long will mum still be happy to be with them. I understand from my books that she will start pecking and "chasing" them off when she is ready to leave them but can't seem to find out at roughly what age that will be.

Any advice is greatly appreciated

Claire

PS. Yes, I will post piccies when they arrive for the soft and fluffy ones amongst us    

hi claire,
 i give mine crumbs till out 6 or 7 weeks then growers if they look ready? :?  i start mixing  it at about 6 weeks till they are eating more and more n more of the growers.

my mums that have hatched have been ok with the  babies at night for  quiet a while but  get annoyed with them in the day at around 5 weeks! maybe its just like human mums  :oops:  we love them and want them safe but get fed up of hearing *mum i want* all day lol
hope that helps, it has been a while since i hatched any.
im sure some one who hatches loads will give better advice lol

Oh claire, that's lovely!  the first broody amberlink I've heard of!  Hope all your babies hatch okay.

I usually start to wean my chicks off the crumb from 4 weeks, depending on how much crumb I have left over!  But 4-8 weeks is the recommendation for layers, but 4 weeks for meat chooks.

Fingers crossed for you all!!!!

you will find the chicks eat what the mother eats and that she will initially crush bigger pieces for them.
Mind most chick crumb has an antibiotic in which can protect them from some of the diseases they can be susceptible to.
When i put out just chick crumb for mother and chicks , mum seems to spend most of the time scratching and the chicks follow. I seem to get most joy when i mix crumb with corn and pellets. If the chicks have been incubator hatched they will eat whatever is put in front of them.