How do you feed a Rhode Island red chick?

Answer 1

The best feed to give Rhode Island Red chickens of egg laying age is called layer complete or layer MASH. This is available at all feed and grain store and is produces by many companies including mixes by the local co-op. The well balanced meal has just the optimum balance of vitamins and minerals for good egg production in starter pullets and is suitable for cockerel growth as well.

Answer 2

When the chick is younger than 3 weeks old he/she needs a diet of small starter crumbs which can be bought at any fodda store and even sometimes pet shops. If the chick is about one day old if the starter crumbs appear to big for the chicks to eat they can be fed bread crumbs and/or oats (How ever this can not be served as a complete diet for more than a day as they lack a lot of nutrients). When trying to feed the chick place the crumbs on a light coloured surface (try and make sure it is not multi-coloured or the chick will not be able to see it as well). Next place the chick by the starter crumbs and get your index finger and pretend it is a chicken pecking at the crumbs, tapping them. Hopefully the chicken will copy this behaviour and begin eating. It is also important to make sure the chick has a drink when he/she is a day old (Maybe earlier, Maybe Later). If the chick is not keen on drinking and is a full day old then try gently dipping the chicks beak into the water.

When the chick grows older to past the age of 3 weeks a bag of larger starter crumbs can be bought however smaller ones are still fine.

When the chicken grows even older you can start offering him/her pellets/grain (depending on what you feed your chickens). They may not eat it yet but someday they will be big enough to which is when you can begin mixing the starter crumbs with the food they will eat when they are adult birds.

Eventually when they are ready they can go on their complete adult diet.