Feed

[ebuckman]

Hi I was wondering when do you move chicks from starter/grower to laying feed?

 

[azygous]

When they begin to lay eggs.

 

[aart]

...or you can feed 'grower/starter' their whole lives and provide calcium separately when they start laying.

My Feeding Notes: I like to feed a 'flock raiser' 20% protein crumble to all ages and genders, as non-layers(chicks, males and molting birds) do not need the extra calcium that is in layer feed and chicks and molters can use the extra protein. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat.

The higher protein crumble also offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer. I adjust the amounts of other feeds to get the protein levels desired with varying situations.

Calcium should be available at all times for the layers, I use oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container.

Animal protein (mealworms, a little cheese - beware the salt content, meat scraps) is provided during molting and if I see any feather eating.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi I was wondering when do you move chicks from starter/grower to laying feed?

Read the bag, it should tell you what is right time for transition for that feed.
Best,
Karen