can I feed baby chicks regular chicken feed blended up instead of chick starter?

[shannoncat]

i wont be able to get to the feed store for a few days what can i feed them until then?

 

[PatrickRoo]

it didnt get eaten

I don't understand. Did the chicks not touch it, or?

 

[shannoncat]

I don't understand. Did the chicks not touch it, or?

you said they should stop eating it after 20-24 weeks which is what they did, after 20-24 weeks they still hadnt eaten the whole bag

 

[shannoncat]

so would it be bad for the hen to eat chick starter? she's 2 years old and she doesnt lay eggs

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Only chickens that are laying actually need layer feed, so the broody hen will do fine on chick starter.

I actually plan to feed grower/finisher to all my chickens (except the tiny baby chicks) because layer pellets have too much calcium for roosters. I will also feed the hens a side of oyster shell so they have enough calcium (if they need it).

 

[shannoncat]

Only chickens that are laying actually need layer feed, so the broody hen will do fine on chick starter.

I actually plan to feed grower/finisher to all my chickens (except the tiny baby chicks) because layer pellets have too much calcium for roosters. I will also feed the hens a side of oyster shell so they have enough calcium (if they need it).

okay cause i also have a rooster and a couple silkies that haven't laid in years, it would be alright to feed starter to them as well? my only laying hens are in a separate coop

 

[mickeymushroom]

a hen hatched them out so is it alright if she eats the starter as well? how old is too old to feed chick starter to?

absolutely... yup. Older hens can eat chick starter but never the other way around. some oyster shell in there for her calcium would be good. Oyster shell can be found in large grind so the chicks won't eat it.

 

[PatrickRoo]

so would it be bad for the hen to eat chick starter? she's 2 years old and she doesnt lay eggs

For a hen that doesn't lay eggs anymore, it's recommend they eat chick starter.

i wont be able to get to the feed store for a few days what can i feed them until then?

Here's a homemade chick starter recipe:

2 parts whole corn (if it's not homegrown, buy organic corn meal at a supermarket)

3-4 parts whole wheat

1 part barley

1 part oat groats

1 part shelled sunflower seeds

1/2 part lentils

1/2 part split green peas

1 part millet

1/4 part flax seeds

1/2 part seaweed

Soak this in water overnight or feed this to them as is.

 

[PatrickRoo]

okay cause i also have a rooster and a couple silkies that haven't laid in years, it would be alright to feed starter to them as well? my only laying hens are in a separate coop

Yes!

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

okay cause i also have a rooster and a couple silkies that haven't laid in years, it would be alright to feed starter to them as well? my only laying hens are in a separate coop

I would suggest (after they eat all the chick starter) that you feed them grower/finisher instead.