Chicks.... 15% to 25% protein, which?!

[Vikinglike]

I’m picking up the girls on Monday!
My intention was to feed “organic” food, and bought 50lbs. Now I’m nervous, and looking to buy the “medicated” feed.
However, I’m seeing protein levels that range from 15-25%?
What should I use?
And at some point in time, is it ok to use the organic feed that I purchased?
I worried about the cocci disease.
Thanks!!!

 

[chickens really]

Feed a 21% medicated chick starter.

 

[DobieLover]

I’m picking up the girls on Monday!
My intention was to feed “organic” food, and bought 50lbs. Now I’m nervous, and looking to buy the “medicated” feed.
However, I’m seeing protein levels that range from 15-25%?
What should I use?
And at some point in time, is it ok to use the organic feed that I purchased?
I worried about the cocci disease.
Thanks!!!

What is the percent protein in the feed you bought? You can feed 18 - 20% protein feed for life. You can use any All Flock type of formulation and offer oyster shells and grit in separate containers when they get to be around 16 weeks old.

If you are worried about coccidiosis, buy Corid liquid and have it on hand in case you need it. I did NOT feed medicated feed. However, when the chicks were 2 weeks old, I offered them plugs of soil from my yard. They never contracted coccidiosis. Not until I introduced three new pullets last September when the flock was 5 months old but I lost no one as I saw the signs in one pullet on the first day and treated all immediately.

 

[feedman77]

I would use the highest protein I could get. When I'm hatching, everything I hatch gets 28 percent gamebird starter. I have not seen any I'll effects of feeding it. Use your organic feed at any time or blend it with the medicated.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I’m picking up the girls on Monday!
My intention was to feed “organic” food, and bought 50lbs. Now I’m nervous, and looking to buy the “medicated” feed.
However, I’m seeing protein levels that range from 15-25%?
What should I use?
And at some point in time, is it ok to use the organic feed that I purchased?
I worried about the cocci disease.
Thanks!!!

If you're getting baby chicks. I use Purina Medicated Start & Grow. I have also used Manna Pro medicated Chick Starter. Both are 18% Protein.
I feed all my Chickens a feed with 18/20% Protein. From day old chicks throughout Adulthood.
I would bring back that Organic feed, because it will be old before you use it. You can buy Organic feed when you're done with the Medicated feed.
Purina tag says feed the Medicated feed until onset of production. I fed my latest chicks medicated feed till 10 weeks, then switched to Non-Medicated feed when Medicated feed ran out. GC

 

[Mrs.Megan]

My first chicks had the vaccine so I couldn’t use the medicated feed and even though I’ve now gotten chicks from other breeders, I’ve never switched over to medicated chick feed and always feed organic. I love scratch and peck starter which is 20.5% but supplement Modesto chick feed which is 22%. My layers get scratch and peck grower feed which is 18% with oyster shells on the side. It’s worked for me so far...

 

[rosemarythyme]

For chicks something in the neighborhood of 20% should be fine, some people like more.

I don't feed medicated feed. I do keep Corid on hand just in case. How set are you on having organically raised chickens? If you start with conventional feed the chickens are no longer organic by definition though if the eggs/meat is for your own consumption it probably doesn't matter.