Changing feeds

[Grant Wilson]

At what ages do I need to change out to a diffrent feed for layers and what feeds do they need from chicks to laying age?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

You can make this as simple or complicated as you wish. Essentially, your choices will be starter, grower,(there is also finisher, though that is geared more towards meat birds) and layer. In theory they follow along on each other in a progressive manner between hatch and 18+ weeks. Starter is finer particles of feed - grower is coarser pieces. The actual nutritional differences between starter and grower are, imo, minimal with regards. Layer feed has significantly higher calcium content (4% vs <1%) - this is to provide the calcium laying birds need to shell and expel their eggs.
Most "schedules" will call for starter for the first 6-8 weeks and grower from the end of starter to the point of lay (18-20 weeks on most feed bags) at which point you would switch to layer ration.
The alternative approach (which I employ) is to feed a grower ration at all times - I start my new babies on it and feed it to my entire flock for their lifetime. I use Flock Raiser, but any grower ration can be used. This is especially nice with mixed flocks (male/female or actively laying and not actively laying due to age, molt, etc) as it eliminates trying to worry about who is eating what, having to house birds separately, etc. To make up for the calcium that is not in grower ration, simply provide free choice oyster shell on the side for those birds who need it (those currently producing eggs) to take as desired.

 

[Grant Wilson]

I feed my chicks nature wise chick starter grower feed, is that a mix between starter and grower feed?

 

[Soylent Chick]

Yes, you can use it for chicks until you switch them to their adult (layer) food.

 

[Grant Wilson]

Ok thanks!

 

[waterbrat]

What age do you switch? Mine are 7 weeks and have enough for 2-3 more weeks.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

What age do you switch? Mine are 7 weeks and have enough for 2-3 more weeks.

What are you raising - layers or meat birds? What are you currently feeding and which feed are you asking about switching to? You won't want to feed them layer feed (if these are laying birds you have) yet when the feed you currently have runs out as they will only be 9-10 weeks old and that is too young for layer ration. You will need to pick up another back of starter or grower feed and use it until at least 18 -20 weeks, or until they actually start laying.

 

[waterbrat]

Yes they are layers so I will go buy another bag of starter. Thanks

 

[toby_alexis&makenzie]

This post has greatly helped me as I have two large, Buff and Braham, chickens that are laying. I was feeding them layer pellets and feeding seven week old chicks chick starter crumble. We just yesterday built an extension on to our chicken coop to move the babies from their brooder box, but we didn't know what to do about feeding them there separate feeds because they want to eat each others food. So now we will be getting the grower so we can incorporate the chicks and the hens.

 

[Grant Wilson]

That's good!