6 Weeks Old & Out of Starter Crumbles.... Where do we go from here?

[j'schicks]

I need to go to the feed store tomorrow. I am down to 4 hens but with 6, 50lbs lasted me the first 6 weeks. What should I buy this time around? Should they still be on starter? Grower? Game bird feed (I've heard that people do this for hens to increase protein levels)? They don't go on layer until they're laying right? And does every feed come with the option of crumbles or pellets? Can they eat pellets at 6 weeks? Thanks!!!!

 

[StormyMoon]

I leave mine on the starter grower non medicated feed until they lay eggs. I don't give anything else until they are about 6 months old then they get cracked corn and layer pellets and they free range so the portion is very small a 50 lb bag lasts me almost a month with the amount of chickens I have I think its pretty good. The reason I use non medicated is cause I have a duck and medicated feed can make him ill if he gets into it.

 

[luvanimals2]

Hi, Mine are the same age as yours and I plan on putting them on Grower until around 17 weeks or so then I will switch them to a layer formula. I think they have crumbles for the grower but not pellets. I highly doubt mine could even swallow the pellets right now. They are having a hard time with anything other than their regular feed.

Nancy

 

[speckledhen]

If you can't find plain grower (and there is none in my area), you can leave them on starter till laying age.