feeding baby chicks

[startingaflock]

I was at my feed store today and asked about chick starter. The smallest bag that they sell is 50lbs. I don't think that I will use all of that and the guy said to just use layer crumble. Has anyone done this and is this ok to do?

 

[annie3001]

i have more babie chicks comming in on monday.. i picked up a 25 lb bag for a order of 5 babies.. thats plenty.
do they say it was the starter chick feed? i believe thats what you want to start with.
then layer as they get bigger. just my thoughts, perhaps others may think otherwise, maybe wait till someone else chimes in.

 

[KatieH]

How many are you getting? You'd be surprised at how much they eat. I'm a newbie so I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but I don't think you want to use layer crumbles until they get to laying age. My chicks are two weeks old and still on starter, thriving, even my meat birds are still on it and they're enormous already. 40lb bag for 27 chicks (15 of which are meat birds) and it's probably about 2/3 gone.

 

[teach1rusl]

No...don't put them on layer crumbles. There's a big difference in protein and calcium levels. You shouldn't start layer feed until they're around 18 weeks or so...give or take. Find a feed store that carries chick starter.

 

[KatieH]

Quote:
Oh good, I was right. Also chick starter is normally medicated to vax for coccidious, right? (I'm sure I spelled it wrong!)

 

[gryeyes]

Do NOT put chicks on layer feed! The calcium in it is very bad for their growing bodies.

And medicated feed is, as you indicated, just for that thing neither one of us can spell. It's not antibiotics or hormones.

Those chicks need to be on chick starter (medicated or unmedicated) until they are 18 wks old, so yaaaaah, you'll go through that 50 lbs!

 

[Keri78]

It should say on the back of the bag of "starter" how long they recommend them be on the 20% protein feed. I THINK it's like 10 weeks? Not sure...I'll have to go read the bag!(LOL)

PS. You will MOST likely be making another trip back to the feed store for more starter!!! I remember thinking....when are they ever going to outgrow this stuff...it's EXPENSIVE...so that answers you're second question...how much do they EAT!!!(LOL)...ALOT! Can you say almost constantly!...think babies...all they do is eat/drink/poop/& sleep!!!(LOL)

Sorry I scimmed this first post...UMMM...to recap..BUY the 50lb. bag...and YES...you will use it...and YES...you will probably be back to buy another 50 lb. bag!(LOL)

 

[pardenx3]

Yep, I agree with what everyone here is saying. Go with the starter. Its formulated for babies growing bodies. Feed layer just before they are to start laying.

 

[startingaflock]

Thanks everyone. I didn't think that it sounded right to just give them the layer crumble but I've never had chicks before. I started with POL pullets. I am setting 24 eggs in the bator on Monday. I can't wait to have some babies!!!