[nuzuki]

The 7 week or so chicks I have are in a brooder area in the barn. Do I need to dust them for mites yet? Do I need to put anything in the brooder area?

Also what do I feed them after chick crumb, I know I need to add grit into their diet at 8-10weeks old but do I need to switch to layers pellets, growers pellets or mixed corn?

Im guessing layers pellets are for chickens destined to lay eggs and growers pellets are for chickens destined for the oven?

Thanks very much

[ANHBUC]

They can go on growers around 8 weeks, mix it in with whatever chick crumb you have left over.  Keep them on growers until they are around 18 weeks and then give them layers although others may say earlier or later (when they start to lay).

If they are freeranging they will probably pick up grit at the right size for them.  You can always put budgie grit in for them if they don't freerange.

I put a little diametreous earth powder in with the chicks bedding as they tend to dust bathe in it.

[nuzuki]

Thanks for clearing those things up for me ANHBUC Ive discovered a great feed place near me that sells 20kg of chick crumb for £9.60. I was paying £5.30 for 4kg previously.

Im still too paranoid about mr fox to let them stay in their coop at night so they're back in the barn overnight and when the weathers poo i.e today. Is it important for them to have light in their brooder area? I have one fireglow bulb on them all the time but am worried if they dont get natural light they may not lay or develop properly. The barn does have skylights so natural light is getting in but is a little gloomy.

[ANHBUC]

The odd day won't matter to them if they get to freerange in the nice weather.  They do love to be outdoors, mine like sleeping on top of their hutch or on a tree branch I have put in their run.