Alternative to chick starter?

[K813ZRA]

I was sitting here and a thought occurred to me and that thought was that it is likely that there was not always 'starter' feed. Could one get a 20% mash from a local feed mill w/out added calcium and just feed chicks that vs chick starter/grower? Even if you could do a such thing, are there clear pros and cons? Also, I know chicks do not need grit on chick starter or so says the bag, but would they need grit if being fed a mash.

Note: Now I have seen on other threads where some people use the term mash to mean different things. My feed mill calls ground up feed (oats/grain/seeds etc) mash. It is almost a powder. Well, it depends on the month. Sometimes it is finer than others but a coffee grinder could fix that.

Anyway, I am not really worried about a savings here. Just a matter of curiosity and will happily continue to buy chick starter every season if need be. Just a way to keep things local is all. That and convenience as I am already there once a month buying bulk feed, lol.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

 

[K813ZRA]

I am guessing that means I asked something that is going to be deemed controversial?

 

[Laodicia]

I was sitting here and a thought occurred to me and that thought was that it is likely that there was not always 'starter' feed. Could one get a 20% mash from a local feed mill w/out added calcium and just feed chicks that vs chick starter/grower? Even if you could do a such thing, are there clear pros and cons? Also, I know chicks do not need grit on chick starter or so says the bag, but would they need grit if being fed a mash.

Note: Now I have seen on other threads where some people use the term mash to mean different things. My feed mill calls ground up feed (oats/grain/seeds etc) mash. It is almost a powder. Well, it depends on the month. Sometimes it is finer than others but a coffee grinder could fix that.

Anyway, I am not really worried about a savings here. Just a matter of curiosity and will happily continue to buy chick starter every season if need be. Just a way to keep things local is all. That and convenience as I am already there once a month buying bulk feed, lol.

Thanks in advance.

I imagine the biggest difference would be whether you could get it medicated (I don't use medicated feed so I mean if it were me and a choice of going to the local mill to get fresh non-chick starter that would work or driving somewhere to get less fresh "Chick-starter" I would go to the mill.). If it's still chicken feed it should be fine.

on grit, while chicks don't "need" grit, I read a study that chicks that were given grit were healthier because it strengthened their gizzard and as they grew they were able to get more nutrients from their food because of this. (I don't have a link to it though)

 

[R2elk]

I am guessing that means I asked something that is going to be deemed controversial?

No, it means she is watching the thread to see what answers you get.

The quickest way to find out if the mash will be acceptable is by comparing the ingredient tags on a bag of mash and a bag of quality chick starter. Check to see if the vitamins, etc. are equivalent. If they are not, you can provide supplemental vitamins in their water. It is highly unlikely that the mash will contain medication and the chick starter will contain medication.

A fine mash should not require the addition of grit but adding free choice chick grit would not be harmful.

 

[K813ZRA]

I imagine the biggest difference would be whether you could get it medicated (I don't use medicated feed so I mean if it were me and a choice of going to the local mill to get fresh non-chick starter that would work or driving somewhere to get less fresh "Chick-starter" I would go to the mill.). If it's still chicken feed it should be fine.

on grit, while chicks don't "need" grit, I read a study that chicks that were given grit were healthier because it strengthened their gizzard and as they grew they were able to get more nutrients from their food because of this. (I don't have a link to it though)

Thank you for the helpful response. I too use non medicated feed. My concern about grit was that most of what I can find that says 'chick' grit say not to start feeding until two weeks.

 

[PirateGirl]

I bought my first pullets from an organic farmer. I liked him, I trusted him, I actually went to his farm and saw his few hundred healthy chickens, and he was far more experienced at raising chickens than I. He mixed his own feed. I asked when I bought my birds (approximately 6 weeks old) if they still needed to be on "starter." His response was that he feeds all his birds the same. Layers, roosters, chicks, adults. They all got the same organic feed that he mixed from bulk grains in his basement with free choice oyster shells and grit on the side. Chicks probably do not need "starter" anymore than adults need "layer" as long as their nutritional needs are met, enough protein, enough calcium, for ducklings enough niacin, etc.

 

[Laodicia]

Thank you for the helpful response. I too use non medicated feed. My concern about grit was that most of what I can find that says 'chick' grit say not to start feeding until two weeks.

I haven't had a problem offering earlier, from hatch to 1 week most grit is too big so they don't actually eat it.

 

[K813ZRA]

No, it means she is watching the thread to see what answers you get.

The quickest way to find out if the mash will be acceptable is by comparing the ingredient tags on a bag of mash and a bag of quality chick starter. Check to see if the vitamins, etc. are equivalent. If they are not, you can provide supplemental vitamins in their water. It is highly unlikely that the mash will contain medication and the chick starter will contain medication.

A fine mash should not require the addition of grit but adding free choice chick grit would not be harmful.

Thank you on both accounts. I was not sure about the popcorn because on some forums it means you went and stirred the pot and people are waiting to see the outcome, lol.

As for medication I use what is said to be non medicated chick starter at the moment. I will compare the 'lables' but the feed mill has a very basic tag.

 

[K813ZRA]

I bought my first pullets from an organic farmer. I liked him, I trusted him, I actually went to his farm and saw his few hundred healthy chickens, and he was far more experienced at raising chickens than I. He mixed his own feed. I asked when I bought my birds (approximately 6 weeks old) if they still needed to be on "starter." His response was that he feeds all his birds the same. Layers, roosters, chicks, adults. They all got the same organic feed that he mixed from bulk grains in his basement with free choice oyster shells and grit on the side. Chicks probably do not need "starter" anymore than adults need "layer" as long as their nutritional needs are met, enough protein, enough calcium, for ducklings enough niacin, etc.

Thank you. That does make sense to me.

I haven't had a problem offering earlier, from hatch to 1 week most grit is too big so they don't actually eat it.

Okay, thank you again.