Grower feed

[bigblueteach]

6 week old chicks. Can I use up starter feed and when they eat that switch over to layer and skip grower

 

[ColoradoChicken89]

I'll be honest, I think it kinda depends what brand. Some brands the starter is also a grower, so with those yes. I know some others they have 3 (starter/grower/layer) type set up, and with something like that, my best guess is you would want to have to at least mix in some grower?

I'm by no means an expert, but have been researching chick feeds for a bit (so I don't end up with too much). I went with one that was a starter/grower cause it sounded easier.

 

[ColoradoChicken89]

Also note: it would depend also when they start laying to when you would actually switch to the layer feed. This can be around 18 weeks of age, but it varies between breeds. You don't want to switch too soon though, as they need less calcium when they are not laying yet.

 

[rosemarythyme]

6 week old chicks. Can I use up starter feed and when they eat that switch over to layer and skip grower

You need to be more specific. "Grower" is optional, you can just continue with starter, but layer before they're laying or close to laying is a gradual build up of calcium in their organs (I think kidney specifically?) that they can't process.

If you cull birds routinely due to age/egg laying slow down then you won't notice the effect, unlikely they'd die of organ failure that soon.

 

[nuthatched]

No.
They need the grower, it has the high protein and low calcium they need to grow healthy. Don't feed layer until about 20 weeks.
You can feed them an all flock feed fir the rest of their lives and supply oyster shell for them.

 

[la dee da]

I feed starter (18-20% protein) until laying. All the grower I find is meant for meat chicks, with very high protein and $10+ more per 50lb bag. My chicks have always developed well.

Edit to add: I would not feed layer food until you get your first few eggs. Just make sure they have access to oyster shell before then so they can get the calcium they need. When they do start laying, I would finish up the starter before switching to layer, or I would mix the two feeds until the starter runs out. No point in wasting food!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I feed starter (18-20% protein) until laying. All the grower I find is meant for meat chicks, with very high protein and $10+ more per 50lb bag. My chicks have always developed well.

Edit to add: I would not feed layer food until you get your first few eggs. Just make sure they have access to oyster shell before then so they can get the calcium they need. When they do start laying, I would finish up the starter before switching to layer, or I would mix the two feeds until the starter runs out. No point in wasting food!

I mixed the layer and chick feed also (while providing oyster shell on the side.) I’ve decided to stick with the chick feed because of the higher protein, so once the mix is gone, it’s back to chick plus shell. (The girls like the chick version better, as well.)

 

[la dee da]

I mixed the layer and chick feed also (while providing oyster shell on the side.) I’ve decided to stick with the chick feed because of the higher protein, so once the mix is gone, it’s back to chick plus shell. (The girls like the chick version better, as well.)

Interesting. I have access to a 20% layer feed, but it’s crumbles, and I much prefer pellets. I hope using chick feed and shell works out for you!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Interesting. I have access to a 20% layer feed, but it’s crumbles, and I much prefer pellets. I hope using chick feed and shell works out for you!

The chick feed is whole grain (Kalmbach Chickhouse Reserve), served mainly in fermented form but also free choice dry.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I feed my adults a 20% protein all-flock crumble, so as soon as the chicks join the flock, somewhere between 6 and 8 weeks normally, that's what they're eating. I keep oyster shell available in the coop next to a dish of grit so both are constantly available. I see no need to go to a lower protein layer feed. The birds molt faster and just generally do well on it at every stage.