Dumor Chick starter/grower? I'm confused!

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

I have been feeding my 10 week old chicks Dumor Chick Starter/Grower. Well on the back of the bag it says:
0-10 weeks-Chick Starter/Grower 20%
10-20 weeks- Poultry Grower/Finisher 15%
20+ weeks- Poultry Layer 16%

So I went to the feed store today and got the Dumor Chick Grower/Finisher since they just finished the starter/grower. Except it sounds like its for meat birds....Is it for meat birds? I am raising them for eggs.
Thanks.

 

[Judy]

As far as I know, the term finisher is only used in reference to meat birds.

I agree, though, that label is very confusing. I would not have bought the finisher, I would have stayed with the grower til I switched to layer. Actually I don't even feed layer, I feed everyone grower and just offer oyster shell on the side, because grower has a little more protein and because my flock, who are all together, range in age from a week or so to 3+ years.

If you haven't opened the bag, if I were you I'd see if they would let me exchange it for grower. I don't understand why they mark it that way either. Maybe they figure you will know not to buy finisher if you're not raising meat birds -- but I feel it should be clearer than that.

Or if you're stuck with it, maybe you could get some grower and mix them to increase the protein a little. My grower is only 17% or 18% protein, if that helps.

 

[Fred's Hens]

You can feed the teenagers any thing!!! Other than layer, of course. The high calcium of layer is not recommended for pre-laying chicks.

Again, you can feed your 10 week olds starter, grower, finisher, flock raiser, anything. It's all feed and all acceptable. The protein will vary by product and the choice is yours as to what to feed them, at what price point.

 

[sgoff]

At what age do you start the layer feed? Do you wait until they actually start laying or do you start feeding it before?

 

[Fred's Hens]

You should wait until they are squatting in front of you. Their combs and faces will turn bright, bright red but the squatting means, "please mount me, your handsome rooster"

That is the surest sign that eggs will be coming within a week or two. That's normally 18 weeks, but each breed is sooo different.

 

[04SportsterChick]

I was just wondering...being new to chickens... do they squat if there is no rooster? I only have 6 pullets, about 10-11 weeks old. Is it a natural thing they do with or with out the handsome guy?

 

[Fred's Hens]

You're the biggest thing around so yes, they'll squat for you too!!!

 

[Rideordie52112]

I only found starter, starter/grower, grower/finisher, then layer. I’m raising them for pets/eggs. Should I use the grower/finisher or stay with starter grower? Thanks

 

[blackdog043]

You can stay with Starter/Grower, but you will also need oyster shell in a separate container for calcium, when they start laying. If these are the only chickens you will have, you can switch to layer, when they start laying. The calcium content is higher in layer feed, so you don't have to have oyster shell.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I no longer feed less than 18% Protein at any age of chicken.
I like 18 to 20% from day old to point of lay, and thoughout adulthood. GC