Starter feed or grower feed at 7 weeks old?

[aim0474]

I have read both that I should keep the pullets on starter feed until moving them on to layer feed at about 18 or so weeks, once they start laying. I have also read that they should be moved to a grower feed at 4 weeks. I am considering ordering a 50 lb bag of organic food from New Country Organics and am not sure which I should order? I do have about half of a large bag of chick feed from the local feed store (Purina non medicated) that I need to finish up but at the rate they are kicking it around it wont take to long. Ugh.....

 

[Pork Pie]

I personally would buy growers. Even if they do not not finish the bag before they start laying, you can offer optional oyster shell as a calcium supplement. Many members feed like this, as a matter of course as growers provides a little more protein and its great for feeding flocks of mixed ages. If you only have pullets, then switching to layers feed, after the growers feed is done is fine.

 

[aim0474]

Awesome thanks. I am going to get the growers then. If I am lucky 1 bag is all I will need before they switch to layer feed. I like that is has recognizable food in it, just wish it was corn free.

 

[chickens really]

I do not know what you mean by recognisable feed? Corn? That sounds like scratch too me?
I feed Grower crumble from 8 weeks till the first egg...After first egg until birds turn a year old, I feed Grower and Layer 50/50 ratio for the extra protein. With oyster shell in a separate dish...

Cheers!

 

[lazy gardener]

Your starter is most likely not corn free. Check the protein content of the grower. If it's not at least 16%, I'd not buy it. But, that's just my opinion. You might consider fermenting their feed. If they are "kicking it around", you might just as well give them some $ bills to kick around as well. Fermented feed gives them superior nutrition for many reasons, and it totally eliminates all waste. How many birds? If only 4 (what I see in your avatar) you'll never use a 50# bag of anything before it goes stale. (Per one widely published nutrition expert: 42 days after milling date, most feed has lost a lot of nutrients, and is quite stale.)

Wishing you the best.

 

[Little Fuzzy]

I raised my chicks on Purina chick starter and they told me it was a grower feed also so I could use it till I switched to Layer feed which I did, and they all healthy.

 

[Little Fuzzy]

Wow, is that stale after the bag is opened? Or stale even if it is closed. Because I can't imagine all those bags of feed at the feed store aren't at least close to 42 days old.

 

[aim0474]

The growers I am looking at is 17% but it does have corn in it. Once I get to layer they have a corn free option.

I can actually get the 50 lb and then store it like I do my grains, in mylar bags in 5 gallon buckets. I will also see if they have a 25 lb option. They may.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Folly's place]

Feed bags should have a 'manufactured by' date on them somewhere; don't buy anything that isn't dated. Fresh is best! Some essential vitamins are lost over time, so feed older than four weeks is getting OLD. The protein content and freshness count a lot, which is why I feed Purina Flock Raiser to my birds. It's 20% protein, and available at my local feed stores dated two to four weeks old. If another good quality feed was consistently as fresh or fresher here, I'd consider it. I also always use it up within two or three weeks rather than keeping it for a longer time. Mary

 

[3riverschick]

I personally would buy growers. Even if they do not not finish the bag before they start laying, you can offer optional oyster shell as a calcium supplement. Many members feed like this, as a matter of course as growers provides a little more protein and its great for feeding flocks of mixed ages. If you only have pullets, then switching to layers feed, after the growers feed is done is fine.

I agree with CTKen. Grower from 7 weeks to 19-20 weeks or they start to lay.MannaPro makes and organic Grower.
Best,
karen