Feeding Chicks HOW MUCH?

[Chicken Pickins]

I'm a first timer.

My chicks are less than a week old, and WOW, can they eat! Sixteen chicks are eating a quart sized container per day. Is that normal? Should I leave the feed available ALL the time?

 

[Hholly]

I would let them eat free choice as much as they want. They grow fast and need a lot of fuel to do all all that growing.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They will eat a lot and probably waste a lot, but keep food in front of them at all times. That does sound about normal feed consumption.

 

[junebuggena]

Yes, they do eat a lot when they are little. They will basically double in size every week. They need an unlimited supply of food to fuel that early rapid growth. And you will find that your once spacious brooder is suddenly way too small, practically overnight. The good news is that after about 6 to 8 weeks, that growth rate will slow way down. The amount of feed that they consume will also slow down.

 

[jk47]

I go through about 4 bags of chick start per 26 chicks from 1 day old to 7weeks old
I think nutrina has a feed consumption guide on there website

 

[Chicken Pickins]

Thanks everyone. That helps a lot.