Feeding Question

[LilyD]

Okay my brood of 20 chicks is one week old tomorrow. They are eating medicated chick starter but I am going to need to buy more tomorrow.

1. Should I still feed them medicated or is it okay to buy non medicated now that they have made it to a week old?

2. Also when should I start feeding them Chick Grower rather than Chick Starter?

3. When will they need grit and what type of grit do I need to get?


Thanks for all your help

Lily

 

[Fred's Hens]

You can feed them medicated or unmedicated, but if you've come this far, I'd personally stay with the cocci blocker until they are 8 weeks. To each his own.
The medicated usually only comes in starter. With 20 chicks, buy a 50# bag. They'll go through it in a heart beat.

If all they eat is their crumbles, they don't need any grit.

 

[LilyD]

That's the problem I am running into the feed store I have in my town only does medicated starter in little 2 lb bags which by the way they went through in about a week. To get a 50 lb bag I will have to find a place that sells larger bags. I do have a tractor supply that is new and about 40 minutes away would they have 50 lb bags of medicated?

When I do my meaties I don't use any medicated feed but I want to do right by my new egg babies. They are so cute and doing so well already. Any ideas would be great.

 

[LilyD]

Okay I have found two options within driving distance, both less than 40 minutes

1. Purina Start and Grow from Tractor Supply

http://www.tractorsupply.com/livest...nfresh-reg-recipe-poultry-feed-50-lb--2800951

2. Blue Seal Chick Starter AM Medicated

http://www.blueseal.com/poultry/feeds.php

Has anyone had any experience with either one of these feeds?

The one I am using right now only comes in 2 and 5 lb bags nothing bigger unless you get unmedicated.

 

[smokeykk]

I haven't had any experience with either of those, I never used medicated chick starter. As Fred's Hens said to each his own. I just used Dumor chick starter/grower and I'm changing to grower/finisher at 10 weeks, or a little before or after depending on how fast my peeps finish a 50# bag. They are probably about 1/5 of the way through and I've had them since Friday night. I only have 6 and they have free choice food, so.... yes to each his/her own

 

[hunter109]

tsc should have it in 25 and 50 lb bags idk though i get all mine from a feed store right down the road from my house

 

[Higins00]

Yes, Tractor Suply has the 50lb bags of chick starter. They have medicated and non medicated. Purina and blue seal are both good brands.
I feed starter for at least 8 to 10 weeks. Then I move on to grower. Grower usually comes in pellets so if my chicks are still small or not used to it
I mix the two together so they get used to it.