8 Weeks old can I continue with chick food or do I need to switch?

[chuckzoo]

My 2 BRs are now 8 weeks and I still have half a bag of the chick food, they only had 25Lb bags available when I got the my chicks. The guy at the feed store said I can use the chick food until 5 months but should take them off it when they start to lay as it is medicated. Is this OK or do I need to switch to something else?
Thanks!

 

[gumpsgirl]

I think this is a personal preference really. When I used medicated feed, I always switched my chicks over to a non-medicated starter/grower feed at 8 wks. old. Then once they reached the point of lay, I started them all on layer feed.

 

[chuckzoo]

Thanks!
If the medicated contains the same nutrients as the non-medicated I think I will continue with it so as not to waste it.

 

[Ol'FashionHen]

I took my chickies off the medicated when they were about 3 weeks old.

 

[gritsar]

I would feed it until you run out, then switch. No need to waste it.

 

[mikecnorthwest]

I'm using Purina Start and Grow and the instructions say to feed it until 18-20 weeks and then switch to Layena. Not sure what you're feeding but it sounds like a good guideline to me.

 

[chuckzoo]

Thanks!
I am feeeding Nutrena by Nature wise.

 

[Sissy]

I too kept my chikies on starter untill
they are ready for layer feed then its Purina Leyena.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Start and Grow you would feed until laying time because it's a starter AND a grower. In some places seperate starter and grower are offered, in which case you would feed starter for about 6 to 8 weeks and then go on to grower until laying time. Around here all that's offered is combined starter/grower (like the purina) so I fed that until I got my first egg @ 19 weeks.
A week here or there on one particular feed formula is not going to make a huge difference. So say you have a little grower still left at 18 weeks, I'd finish it up before buying layer.

 

[guesswhatchickenbutt]

My chicks are about 10 weeks old and on medicated grower feed. You can't get non-medicated around here.

Think it's okay to leave them on it until 20 weeks and then switch to layer feed?

And is 20 weeks the magical number of when to switch them to a layer feed?

They're almost due for new food now so I need to figure out which percentage of 'stuff' I need to look for in the feed store.

(sorry to hijack,, but your post was soooo similar to what I was about to post!)