When to stop feeding Start & Grow?

Date sort Score sort
GimmeCake

GimmeCake

Songster
6 Years
May 8, 2013
1,531
20
133
I have a 6 baby chickens, all between 1-2 weeks but when do I start feeding them adult food? I currently have been feeding them Start & Grow (it said medicated, is that good?). And do I slowly intruduce the new food? And when can I feed them meal worms?
 
They can have mealworms at any time, but I have read that when they are tiny chicks they can mistake each others' feet for mealworms after being given mealworms (pecking feet). So you might watch for this if you give them to them.

They can stay on Start and Grow until they begin to lay. Then switch to layer. Don't feed layer too soon- it has way too much calcium.

You can just make the switch- if you switch to pellets they may balk at eating them and you might have to mix them into the old food.
 
Last edited:
They only need the medicated feed for the first 6-8ish weeks, then to a non medicated. You can actually keep them on it forever and just offer your hens oyster shell in the run when they start laying, to give extra calcium. If you want to feed a layer feed, wait until everyone's laying. Layer feed is really only for laying hens, so if you have younger birds or roosters it's best to just feed the grower or flock raiser or all in one type feed to everyone.
 
you probably can find reccomendation when to switch to other feed - on the Medicated food package. I read it there but can not remember exactly when, but I think it is longer than 6-8 weeks
 
I feed a starter (24% protein) for the first 6 weeks. If you feed very high protein for an extended amount of time, the rapid speed of growth will take a toll on them. You're looking at prolapse, stuck eggs, and internal laying due to starting laying too early. This can also happen due to the birds being too fat, which is also the result of feeding high protein to older birds. (also why I don't reccomend feeding scratch every day. Too much crappy nutrition, it's just fattening)
Switch them over to a 20-18% grower from 6-18 weeks and then put them on a laying type feed. The extra calcium won't hurt them at that point.
 
Natalijaasbj said:
you probably can find reccomendation when to switch to other feed - on the Medicated food package. I read it there but can not remember exactly when, but I think it is longer than 6-8 weeks
Click to expand...

X2 Purina prints schedule options right on the bad. The feed schedule options/choices are also on Purina's website.
 
LeBlackbird!
Hmm... Very interesting info about possible health issues if feeding with Starter food for a long period of time. I've got to research it more, because I want my birds get the best option. I have a half bag of organic Starter Feed and a Medicated Purina(half bag) and hate the idea of not using it all. My chicks are 6-7 weeks and I am not planning to get new chicks just now. Although I do ferment it for them ( as well they always have a dry option besides it). You made me think about it.
any advice?
 

Similar threads

teamtmo
    • Like
New 1 week old chicks with runny poop
Replies
4
Views
1K
Petmom 1
P
RoosterJuice
    • Like
Can I mix medicated and non-medicated chick starter?
2
Replies
13
Views
986
rosemarythyme
rosemarythyme
K
Losing Baby chicks and 6 week old chicks
Replies
2
Views
1K
KarnDmad
K
S
Confused!
Replies
7
Views
292
Ridgerunner
Ridgerunner
D
    • Like
One of my pullet is not eating the feed
Replies
2
Views
617
dsdc
D

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom