clarification on feed

[cptbahama]

My chicks are 11 weeks and 8 weeks old.
My local feed store just told me I can stop the chick starter at 8 weeks. She sold me a 50# bag of crumbles. On the bag it says start feeding them contents at 16 weeks. So whats up?

 

[vjbakke]

Sounds like they sold you layer feed, you should be on grower or starter feed until they start laying then switch to layer feed. I am new but I have quickly learned that the feed store employees don't always tell you what is correct.

 

[aggie9296]

The layer feed is supposed to have too much calcium for non-laying pullets. I put mine on layer when they were 12 weeks because no one had grower feed. (previous owner only had them on scratch). They started laying at 17 weeks and they have done perfectly fine. Nobody died because I fed them layer a month+ early.

 

[Judy]

The extra calcium in layer can damage kidneys. You may not be able to tell they have been damaged. If it is layer pellets I would take it back or store it (if you have a good cool dry place) til they start laying.

Crumbles, pellets and mash are names of the texture of the feed and tell you nothing about the content. Starter, grower and layer are types of feed, for different ages. Is it possible you have starter or grower crumbles? If so, it is fine.