Accidentally given Starter...return it or feed it?

[kara_leigh]

Last time I bought feed I went to a different feed store and I bought 18% Grower feed. I went back this time b/c my chickens really loved their feed, and I asked for the same thing but didn't notice until we got home late tonight that it is 21% Starter instead. My chickens are 7 weeks, 9 weeks, and 14 weeks old. Would you feed it to them anyway, or would you return it for Grower? The feed store is about 40 minutes from here if that makes any difference to what you would do. I'm still new to all of this, so I'm not sure what, if any, harm it would do to feed it to my chickens. Thanks!

 

[mljohnson05]

Quote:
At that age they really need GROWER...and the 14 week olds are close to needing layer feed....I would say return it... sorry

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

3% won't make any real difference at all.

It's not worth it to take it back

It's just chicken feed

 

[featherz]

I'd probably just feed it. My hens have all been on starter/grower (unmedicated) for a month or so since I have chicks in with them. I put extra oyster shell in with them and they seem fine and are laying perfectly well. One bag would last me less than a week, so I'd go with it.

 

[dsqard]

As long as it is not medicated, I would feed it. Nothing wrong with a little extra protien.

 

[lambchicks]

I agree with dsqard, the medicated part is what would concern me. Do you know if it is?

 

[Judy]

I would definitely feed it unless it has an antibiotic in it. I feed my whole flock grower because it's higher protein than the layer around here. If it's medicated with amprolium I'd still feed it; Purina says amprolium is OK even for layers:

http://poultry.purinamills.com/ASKTHEEXPERTS/FAQs/ECMD007942.aspx

 

[kara_leigh]

is medicated. I'm going to go ahead and return it. We need to go back to town again today anyway, so we can just stop on the way. Thanks!

 

[kara_leigh]

Well dang. That feed store was closed for the holiday weekend, and the other feed store we used to go to closes at noon on Saturdays. Will it really hurt them that much to give them the medicated Starter until next Tuesday when the feed store opens again?

 

[cafarmgirl]

Quote:
No, it will not hurt them at all. If it were me I'd probably just feed out the whole bag.