Feed

[Jaimes09]

I have 6 week old baby chicks. And about 4-5 month old chicks. Is there any feed i can give both? I only have 3 of the young ones and 3 older ones so don’t want to spend on separate bags just yet if not needed.

 

[Perris]

they can all eat chickfeed. Or allflock. Good luck with your chickens!

 

[Jaimes09]

they can all eat chickfeed. Or allflock. Good luck with your chickens!

So starter grower correct?

 

[Silkie Princess]

So starter grower correct?

Yup

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Yes, Starter, Starter/Grower is fine. So is All Flock/Flock Raiser. The descriptive name on the bag doesn't really matter. What you are looking for is the nutritional label for a freshness date (less than three months old - somewhat arbitrary, but fresher is better) in a price range you can stomach, in a quantity they are expected to consume in a month or two, with protein between 18-20% (you can go higher here, though the benefit is limited, while the expense generally is not). Don't exceed 24% if you have ducks or other waterfowl (and look to hom much niacin it has, if that's the case - or suppliment, in an abundance of caution - waterfowl need about 2-3x as much as chickens, and the "excess" won't hurt chickens).

You also want to see about 3.5% fiber +/-. Try not to go below 2.5% fiber (unlikely, with a plant based diet) or over 5% fiber. Similar numbers for fat, 3.5% +/-. Waterfowl just a little bit more, say 4% +/-. The only time you want to be in the 6%+ fat range is if you are putting weight on CornishX you plan to slaughter in the coming weeks.

While you are reading the label, if it lists them, look to Lysine and Methionine numbers, the two most critical limiting amino acids in developing poultry. Methionine, you want to see at least 0.5%, preferably 0.6%+. Lysine of 0.7% minimum, but you really want to see something more like 1.0-1.3%. 0.7% is just ok for a layer, but not optimal for any kind of high yield broiler, a solid dual purpose breed with fast growth, or any waterfowl. Lysine is critical for good muscle development, particularly of breast meat. Methionine is involved in essentially every connective tissue - tendons, organs (digestive, particularly), skin, etc.

Hope that helps!