Baby chicks arriving mid March.. is it too soon to buy starter feed?

[stlfarmchick]

I have five babies shipping on March 15th from my pet chicken. I've read horror stories of the chicks arriving early and I just want to be prepared in case that happens. How long will organic starter chick feed last? Is it too soon for me to order some and store it until the chicks arrive? Also, my pet chicken organic is sooo expensive to ship! Are there any more affordable sources out there for small bags of organic feed. I don't want to buy a 50 bag in fear that it will go bad. Please help!

 

[chixie]

I would wait until closer to the time they are due. I always get y starter a few days before they arrive

 

[stlfarmchick]

I know that I'm being silly but I don't have a local source for organic feed. I would need to order it and I'm worried that it might be delayed somehow in transit. My local feed store only sells starter with antibiotics.. is that o.k to use? I would prefer organic but I don't have many options.

 

[chixie]

yes its ok to use the starter with antibiotics... thats what I use. if you want organic can you find out hoew long it takes to ship it and then order it where it should be there a few days befor you are suposed to get your chicks?

 

[stlfarmchick]

I'm going to call MPC today to see if that would work. Thanks for the advice!

 

[chixie]

your welcome.

 

[Carpe DiHen]

I'm expecting chick from MPC April 12th. It's been so hard to hold off setting up the brooder! It would be so silly to set it up and stare at it empty for 2 months. I've bought everthing but the feed and I keep feeling like pulling in the feed store everytime I get near it and buying feed.

Good luck getting your fuzzy butts!

 

[Bullwinkle]

Quote:
The starter has a an ingredient to curb the growth of Coccidia (an microscopic single celled Protozoa). If your chickens will ever be exposed to dirt/the ground/ they will be exposed to Coccidia. The ingredients in starter are meant to slow the growth of the Coccidia till the chicken develops better resistance to it. The active ingredients are not an antibiotic and are not significantly absorbed into through the chickens intestines (i.e. they don't have to be since they work in the intestines). If you have not had your chicks vaccinated for Coccidiosis, I would recommend a starter feed with Amprolium in it.

I you still prefer to have no ingredients to curb Coccidiosis, Tractor Supply has a 20% protein starter feed that is med free. That is what I use for my chicks (I get mine vaccinated at McMurray for Coccidiosis). My sig below has some info on Cocci.