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When to stop starter food?

post #1 of 9
4/11/11 at 6:45am
Thread Starter 

I know someone recently asked this question but  I cant find the post so Im sorry for asking but, at what point do i stop the chick starter food and do I start them on laying pellets right after? Our chicks are almost 3 weeks old now and I've read so many different things about when to stop starter food. I've heard 10 weeks 12 weeks and I,m just not sure. Thanks for any advise.

1 Wife, 2 Kids, 2 Dogs, 1 cat, and 4 Chickens
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1 Wife, 2 Kids, 2 Dogs, 1 cat, and 4 Chickens
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post #2 of 9
4/11/11 at 8:47am

I keep giving mine chick mash until they start to lay.  You definitely don't want to give them laying mash until they're fully grown, since it is calcium fortified and this will supposedly interfere with their growth.

16 chickens: 3 Wellie cockerels, BA, BO, BL, SSH, SS, and a mutt; BR, two Buff Brahmas, and two Wellie hens; plus Galt and Dagny
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16 chickens: 3 Wellie cockerels, BA, BO, BL, SSH, SS, and a mutt; BR, two Buff Brahmas, and two Wellie hens; plus Galt and Dagny
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post #3 of 9
4/11/11 at 4:35pm

Do you have laying breed chicks? You can use a chick starter, medicated or not, for about 5-6 weeks, then after that (depending on when you need to buy another bag of feed) switch to a grower/finisher to point of lay. Usually this is around 5-6 months. The combs will brighten up and the pullets start getting more friendly, and more interested in the laying boxes.
You should not feed laying ration to younger birds, the higher calcium level can damage their kidneys.

Meat birds are fed differently, and it depends on the breed some - cornish crosses or heavy breeds

Home of the world's cutest dachshund, one crazy blue heeler, two cats,
              one fat pony, and many (but not too many!) chickens

              Can anyone tell me, how many are too many chickens?

 



My Chickens
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/1muttsfans-chickens
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Home of the world's cutest dachshund, one crazy blue heeler, two cats,
              one fat pony, and many (but not too many!) chickens

              Can anyone tell me, how many are too many chickens?

 



My Chickens
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/1muttsfans-chickens
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post #4 of 9
4/11/11 at 5:08pm

welcome-byc
I would keep them on chick crumbles until they start laying

Toughing out the winter with 3 goats and 7 hens

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Toughing out the winter with 3 goats and 7 hens

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post #5 of 9
4/12/11 at 4:15am

When they eat all the chick starter feed.  Sorry, but I ain't wasting it.

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post #6 of 9
4/7/12 at 11:23pm
Does anyone know what to do if you mix young chickens before they start laying with the adult chickens.... if there eating different foods how do I stop them... thanks!

happy dad of a GSP and a BLRW and FBCM  and a WL and a BR and a BA and a SS and an EE and a GLC 

 

 

 

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happy dad of a GSP and a BLRW and FBCM  and a WL and a BR and a BA and a SS and an EE and a GLC 

 

 

 

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post #7 of 9
4/7/12 at 11:39pm

If your mixing older hens with younger ones that aren't laying i would feed them all starter/grower and put some oyster shell on the side. The young ones will pretty much leave the shell alone. And the hens will still get the calcium they need for eggs. I start feeding all mine layer pellets when they get around 18-20 weeks old. 

Father of 1 2yr old daughter, 1 beagle/basset hound, 1 pit bull/basset mix, 1 mutt chicken, and 2 dominique pullets, 2 rir pullets

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Father of 1 2yr old daughter, 1 beagle/basset hound, 1 pit bull/basset mix, 1 mutt chicken, and 2 dominique pullets, 2 rir pullets

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post #8 of 9
4/8/12 at 4:21am

It will probably tell you on the bag. Sometimes you can even feed it until 18 weeks.

2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Black Stars

 

Chicken Behavior Article

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2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Black Stars

 

Chicken Behavior Article

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post #9 of 9
4/8/12 at 1:11pm

purina starter/grower feed says on the bag feed until 18 weeks

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