Feed help for 12 wk chicks

[BeachMomma]

I have 12 wk old barred rocks (2 girls,1 roo) that will be finishing their crumble feed by end of this wkend. What would you guys suggest as the next step feed? I've read that some start on layer/grower next or keep theirs on crumble till laying. My concern is that since I do have a rooster, I don't want to buy a feed that will harm him.

 

[GitaBooks]

Opinions vary. Some people start them on layer at around 16 weeks, but this can harm their kidneys. I would feed them grower food until they start laying, but you should start offering oyster shell at around 16 weeks of age.

Hope this helps!

 

[rides2far]

Mine are just at 16 weeks & I'm still feeding starter/grower. I just added some oyster shell to their grit. I plan on feeding the same ration until around 18 weeks or so. I think my red sex link is thinking about laying, she squatted today, but the rest don't look ready yet. I don't have a rooster, so I'll feed a layer ration. I don't know if a rooster should eat layer ration or not. You might want to feed all flock & supplement with oyster shell.

 

[BeachMomma]

Thanks for the help, I'll grab another small bag of the crumbles that should last till they're 16-18 wks. Im just unsure if the layer/grower would be okay for the rooster or not.

They're also finishing their baby chick grit, is 12 wks too early to buy the adult size grit?

 

[GitaBooks]

I think they would do okay on adult grit.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Layer feed should not be offered until at least 18 weeks or the onset of laying - the excess calcium is potentially harmful to birds younger than that or not actively laying eggs to move that extra calcium out of their body. We feed grower from day one to the last day any bird is in our flock - oyster shell is offered free choice to provide for the calcium needs of those who are laying and this allows me to offer one feed to a mixed flock without worrying about who is eating what at any given time. Grit and oyster shell should be offered separately and, yes, your birds can have adult sized grit at this piont.

 

[GitaBooks]

Layer feed should not be offered until at least 18 weeks or the onset of laying - the excess calcium is potentially harmful to birds younger than that or not actively laying eggs to move that extra calcium out of their body. We feed grower from day one to the last day any bird is in our flock - oyster shell is offered free choice to provide for the calcium needs of those who are laying and this allows me to offer one feed to a mixed flock without worrying about who is eating what at any given time. Grit and oyster shell should be offered separately and, yes, your birds can have adult sized grit at this piont.

I'm not disagreeing with you, as I've heard this method works really well, but I have heard that chick food has too much protein in it for adults. Is this true?

 

[Folly's place]

No. You can feed Flock Raiser to chickens of all ages, with oyster shell on the side for laying hens. Mary

 

[GitaBooks]

Thanks for the advise!