7 week old feed question

[kburen]

My babies are just over 7 weeks old now and almost out of medicated feed. I know they should go from medicated to grower feed, but my feed store doesn't have grower.

My options are to leave them on medicated crumble, switch them to layer pellets (which I can always smack with a hammer and turn into crumble if it's too big), or go to scratch (which I understand should just be a treat no a full time food). Would it hurt them to switch them over to the layer pellets already?

 

[shellybean40]

I have read that the layer pellets can damage their kidneys with the excess calcium. Better to stick with the chick feed for now.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Generally, 7 weeks is young to get all the extra calcium that is in layer feed. The extra calcium at that age is reportedly bad for their kidneys. I had my girls on a medicated starter/grower until 16 weeks. Does your feed store have such a combo? I used Purina. I have read that another option may be flock raiser, but I don't know the nutritional components of that feed.

 

[kburen]

Ok, so I guess I'll go back tomorrow and get another bag of medicated crumble and hold off on the bag of layer pellets that I got. On another note....I was just cleaning out the brooder and my "rooster man" started trying to crow like crazy. LOL He sounds so funny

 

[girlonbike]

I was in a similar situation with my girls and ended up buying the layer feed then mixing it with the chick feed for a few weeks. I also mix in ground up kitchen scraps.
They get to go outside most days and peck and scratch in the yard as well.

 

[Tala]

keep them on the chick feed till they are closer to 20weeks.

If you store has Purina look for Flock Raiser (usually a green bag). It's non-medicated 20% protein and fit for all ages. No calcium for layers so it won't damage the chicks or roosters. I raise all my birds on this stuff, it's better than anything else I've tried.
If your store doesn't carry the flock raiser, just keep feeding whatever you have been feeding.