Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi,
I'm new to keeping chickens. We have had 3 Rhode Island Reds for about 4weeks now.They are about 16 weeks old and doing well.They live in a warm coop with an outside run.
I feed then with a mix of layers pellets, corn mix and crushed oyster shell, also I give then green vegetable leaves.
What I would really like to know is that if this is the correct diet for them.
And I would like to give them a warm mash similar to what my Grand parents gave their chickens in the war. Has anyone got a recipe for chicken mash? and when do you think they should start to lay eggs?

Hi there
We got our 6 chickens which were aged around 18 weeks beginning of November, one started laying middle December and we've had 1 egg a day from her since. A second one stated laying last week. They all seem to be maturing at different rates, even though they all looked similar when thay arrived. Before they start laying their combs and red flap under their beaks (sorry don't know the proper name) grew and turned bright red.
I feed them organic layer pellets on demand and veg. Their favourite is lettuce. I keep the egg shells, dry them out in the oven, crush and scatter them for them to peck at. Sorry I don't have a recipe for chicken mash, but I too would be interested in a recipe.
We're really enjoying keeping chickens, they're more fun than I anticipated.
Kind regards
Tracey

They should start laying in about 4-6 weeks.

The diet you are giving them is fine. I make warm mash by putting all my veg peeling and any leftover odd and sods in a big pan with some water and cook it until its soft and messy. Leave it to cool a bit then take it down the run. My girls love it. Hens are remarkably unfussy and will eat just about anything.

__________________
I'd rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion.

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updated 14 May 2008

We hatched chicks in August and are new to it all too.

Ours are now nearly 17weeks and are on layers mash with some grit and shell mixed in, also any veg that are left overs.
As a real treat they get warm porridge oats made with hot water and sometimes sweet corn tho not very often.

Our birds are now really big but not laying - but we were told it is to do with the weather and daylight hours - as it get lighter and warmer they should start laying

Most of all they are just great to watch