Chicken feed question

[mandy_erica]

I would just keep them on the chick food or switch them over to Flock Raiser and be done with it.
The main difference between starter and grower is lower protein content in the grower. The next formula that some would recommend is layer which is generally only 16% protein and 3 to 4% calcium.

What I prefer is to keep them on Flock Raiser for life with several containers of oyster shell on the side. I put the OS containers in high traffic areas and keep them topped off. These should go out at week 15.

What brands do you like?

 

[GC-Raptor]

The Pullet developer is essentially another name for grower.
I read in the pix it says to feed starter till 8 weeks then feed developer till laying begins. GC

 

[GC-Raptor]

What brands do you like?

I like and feed Purina Premium and Nutrena Naturewise.
I don't buy Organic feeds, but both companies make Organic feeds.
If I were to buy Organic feeds, I like Nature's Best brand. It's available at my local TSC. GC

 

[DobieLover]

What brands do you like?

Flock Raiser.

 

[Self sufficient chickens]

I read in the pix it says to feed starter till 8 weeks then feed developer till laying begins. GC

I would do that also.

 

[Self sufficient chickens]

Don't feed layer until they are laying. The excess calcium can harm their organs.

 

[mandy_erica]

I like and feed Purina Premium and Nutrena Naturewise.
I don't buy Organic feeds, but both companies make Organic feeds.
If I were to buy Organic feeds, I like Nature's Best brand. It's available at my local TSC. GC

Ok I was looking at the nutrena one. At what age did you switch over to that from chick starter? And then do you wait until they start laying then put oyster shells on the side?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ok I was looking at the nutrena one. At what age did you switch over to that from chick starter? And then do you wait until they start laying then put oyster shells on the side?

I'm very unscientific. I switch to grower "once I run out of starter" (or nowadays I start with an all flock type feed if possible). I don't start layer until most of the chicks have started laying. As I have older hens the oyster shells are always available on the side.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Ok I was looking at the nutrena one. At what age did you switch over to that from chick starter? And then do you wait until they start laying then put oyster shells on the side?

Here's the directions from a bag of Nutrena Naturewise Starter-Grower for when to switch and when to offer Oyster Shells.

I offer Oyster Shells separately at 16 weeks and would switch to a Layer feed when the pullets show signs of laying. Swollen Red Combs and Wattles, squatting when I put my hand over them and checking out nest boxes.

But I don't switch to a Layer feed. I feed either a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower or a All-Flock/Flock Raiser crumble 18-20% with Oyster Shells separately.
I like the higher Protein and I have a 47 month old hen that retired from laying last June. She's the hen nearest in pix.

GC

 

[Guernsy]

I have a flock of 10, however, three of my chickens are three weeks younger than the others. I still have them all on chick starter and I just bought another 50 lb bag. I was under the impression that I could feed them that until they start laying?
My feed is King Freedom feed, from a CA feed company and it is GMO organic feed. It states to feed up to 16 weeks. What happens, if they will eat that longer than 16 weeks? I was hoping to have them finish the bag.
Also, if the 7 older chickens start laying around 18-20 weeks and I have to start giving them layer feed, how can I keep the younger chicks away from it?
All my chickens are free-roaming, do I really need to give them grids? I thought they pick up sand and little rocks while they roam?