FAQS

The most ideal time to introduce new chicks to a flock is in the evening. By releasing chicks in the evening hours, it allows time for hens and other chickens calm down and relax from the busy day. It is ideal if chicks are introduced when they are 5 days or older. In addition to this, it is important that chicks are introduced in small groups. When introducing a chick, hold the chick in your hands in a cupped position, then place it under the hen as if you were going to replace it with one of their eggs. When choosing a hen or hens to place the chicks with, look for signs of a hen who is desiring to hatch her chicks. Be sure to ALWAYS place chicks under the hen directly and NOT in front of the hen. Monitor the situation closely for signals that the hen is not going to accept the chick so that you can step in if needed.

*Disclaimer all hens are different! This can span across all breeds of chickens. Even the best breeds will reject chick(s) in a given situation. Don’t be discouraged if you find yourself in this position.

Young birds grow rapidly and develop quickly. It is important to give them a well-balanced diet that covers all of their vitamin, mineral, energy, and calorie needs. The best way to do this is with a complete feed, like Earth First Chick Starter. Providing grains or treats to the diet can cause imbalances to occur which can impact growth and future production.

With this in mind, it is important to remember that the way chicks and chickens consume whole grains is by grinding them up in their gizzards. When feeding whole grains be sure to always feed the appropriate sized grit for the bird. By doing this, you minimize risks of choking or injury.

Broilers (also commonly referred to as meat birds), will eat between h 4.2-18.8 oz. of feed a week/based on one bird from 0 to 4 weeks of age. As the bird ages, there is a gradual increase of feed as weeks go by.

For laying hens it is best if you plan for .30lbs of complete layer feed a day. This leads to 1.75-2.1 pounds a week per bird.

If you are in the position of having multiple chickens at various stages of development, the best way to regulate the flocks feed is to feed our Earth Starter and Grower! By feeding this, you are ensuring that chicks and pullets are not be harmed by the high calcium that is prevalent in other feeds. The general rule of thumb is to cater and plan your feeding schedules around the flock’s youngest members. Once all the birds become of laying age, it is then safe to transition over to our Earth First Complete Layer Feed.

Yes! Earth First Poultry feed works not only for chicks and hens, but also roosters. We encourage adult roosters to be fed our complete layer feed.

The main thing to keep in mind when feeding waterfowl is that the way they eat makes them susceptible issues when given any feed with medication in it. Since Earth First formulas are non-medicated, they are a great choice for waterfowl.

GMO is the abbreviation of genetically modified organisms. GMO is the process where animals and or plants are created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology. Technology is used to merge DNA of different species, leading to creations that of animals, plants, bacteria, and viral genes that cannot transpire in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.

Earth First Poultry Feed has a shelf life of one year after being manufactured.