Chicks and layer crumbles

[Shaw2023]

Hi,
I just decided to raise chicks for the first time, my local store was out of starter feed, will they be fine eating layer crumbles for a day or 2?

 

[nuthatched]

Did they have flock raiser? It won't hurt for 2 days but supplement the protein with scrambled eggs.

 

[Shaw2023]

I use country road layer crumbles from rural king.

 

[nuthatched]

I use country road layer crumbles from rural king.

Ok, you definitely need to supplement protein.
You might want to switch to a higher protein layer for the future, 16% is only the minimum protein laymg hens need.

 

[Shaw2023]

Ok, thank you, I appreciate the help.

 

[Ridgerunner]

For a day or two the calcium in the Layer won't hurt them. Don't feed it long term though. The excess calcium in Layer can damage internal organs but that doesn't happen overnight.

For a day or two the 16% protein level in that feed will not deprive them of any needed nutrition to the point that it harms them. They can live and grow on 16% protein for all their lives, they just won't get that great start extra protein gives them in the first few weeks of their lives. Feeding them extra protein for those two days won't hurt them but you won't notice any difference in them as adults if you skip the extra protein for those two days. If you raise them on 16% low calcium feed like Grower they will not grow as big as they would if you feed a higher protein feed for the entire period they are growing.