Advice on feed

[Angelitamamacita]

Hello,
I’m a chicken newbie. I purchased 4 chicks that are now 10 1/2 weeks old. I love them! I have an Americauna brown, Rhode Island Red, Gold sex link, and a silver laced Wyandotte. They’ve been on Purina medicated. I’m now at the end of the bag and wanting to know if I should switch them now to something else. Advice is much appreciated!! Also, at what age is it good to start giving them treats?
Thank you!!

 

[Mistyclouds]

I have ducks, but I have been feeding them Purina flock raiser which is supposed to be for both ducks and chickens. I just put oyster shell on the side. hopefully this helps. I have read somewhere that since the flock raiser has a lot of protein in it for young poultry that treats on the side (veggies, mealworms, etc.) helps to keep the diet balanced.

 

[SueT]

Welcome to BYC!!!!!
Here's a good BYC article on feed answering all your questions:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/feeding-chickens-an-introductory-guide.67139/

 

[GC-Raptor]

I would get another bag of Start & Grow, but unmedicated.(check the mill date on the bottom of the bag). I have seen old starter feed on the shelf. Get the freshest you can find. I have read that medicated feed with Amprolium is not necessary after 10 weeks. You could feed that even after they start laying. When bag is empty you could continue to feed that or an all flock feed or a layers feed.
But I like a feed with higher protein than most layers feed. I like a feed with 18 to 20%. I feed a 18% Protein layers pellets. It's harder to find, but worth it to me. I special order from my local feed and lumber store.
I put my pullets in their coop at 5 weeks and offered them Granite Grit in a separate container.
As for treats I started offering them scratch grains at 8 weeks.
At 16 weeks I would offer Oyster Shells in a separate container. . My hens will be 21 months Saturday. GC

 

[Angelitamamacita]

Thank you so much! Very helpful!

 

[peckpeckpeck]

Chickens are amazing, aren't they? @SueT linked to a really good article!

Basically move from your Chick feed to Grower Feed, then Layer feed.
You can start putting out oyster shells in a few weeks. They'll eat the shells as they need it.

You can give them snacks any time. Be careful how much you give em. Chicken obesity it real. Also the more treats they get, the less they'll eat their well balanced feed.

And give them grit. They'll need that to digest anything they have to "chew". Especially if they're free ranging & eating grass or other fiberous things.

Just to give you an idea, My Rhode Island Red started laying at 20 weeks. My Barred Rock & Easter Egger started around 24 weeks.

Good luck & have fun with your teenagers!