Grower/Finisher All Their Lives?

[DesertBird]

Hello. Just wondering if there's a benefit or downside to feeding chickens Grower/Finisher their entire lives; week-old chicks to years old. I've seen it said multiple times on here people don't feed their chickens layer feed and stick on grower/finisher, but I was wondering if it's okay to also raise the little chicks on grower/finisher - the one I have currently is 15%, but I think my feed store also carries 18%.

 

[Pyxis]

Yep, that's totally fine. I've recently moved to doing that myself, only I'm feeding starter/grower since it's only 50 cents more than layer would be. You'll want to offer oyster shell on the side so that the hens that need it can get it.

It has benefits in that hens that don't need the extra calcium in layer when they're not laying aren't consuming more than they need, and it's good for roosters who never need the extra calcium. Some around here say it will increase a rooster's lifespan to feed him something other than layer feed.

 

[DesertBird]

Yep, that's totally fine. I've recently moved to doing that myself, only I'm feeding starter/grower since it's only 50 cents more than layer would be. You'll want to offer oyster shell on the side so that the hens that need it can get it.

It has benefits in that hens that don't need the extra calcium in layer when they're not laying aren't consuming more than they need, and it's good for roosters who never need the extra calcium. Some around here say it will increase a rooster's lifespan to feed him something other than layer feed.

Good to know! I'll probably do that, then, too. Should I up the protein, or is the 15% fine? I could always make them scrambled eggs, too.

 

[jennyf]

What brand is it? I've never seen a Grower lower than 18% or so, and most are higher. Layer is usually 16% protein and Grower should be higher than Layer.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I'm another that never switches to layer feed. I aim for 18-20% protein.

 

[lazy gardener]

IMO 15% is inadequate. I asked what the rational for moving chicks from 20% starter to 15% grower at 10 weeks as advised, and the feed store employees could not give me a reasonable answer. I'd aim for a MINIMUM of 16%.

 

[DesertBird]

What brand is it? I've never seen a Grower lower than 18% or so, and most are higher. Layer is usually 16% protein and Grower should be higher than Layer.

DuMOR. It was the only one they had in stock that was Grower/Finisher when I got it for my younger chickens. I learned around the same time they needed more protein, so I've been feeding them scrambled eggs a lot.

I'm another that never switches to layer feed. I aim for 18-20% protein.

Thanks, good to know. I'll try to look for that.

IMO 15% is inadequate. I asked what the rational for moving chicks from 20% starter to 15% grower at 10 weeks as advised, and the feed store employees could not give me a reasonable answer. I'd aim for a MINIMUM of 16%.

Yeah, I figured as much. It's more than was on the layer I was feeding the older ones, though.


So overall, should I just get rid of the rest of the 15% feed (maybe about 15lbs left?) and feed my chickens the highest protein grower/finisher I can find? If it's not over 20%.

 

[Pyxis]

So overall, should I just get rid of the rest of the 15% feed (maybe about 15lbs left?) and feed my chickens the highest protein grower/finisher I can find? If it's not over 20%.

If you're doing Dumor, just use the starter/grower. That's actually what I'm feeding. It's only 50 cents more than layer, and if I remember correctly, the finisher, which is less protein, is more expensive than it for some reason. It has 20% protein.

 

[DesertBird]

If you're doing Dumor, just use the starter/grower. That's actually what I'm feeding. It's only 50 cents more than layer, and if I remember correctly, the finisher, which is less protein, is more expensive than it for some reason. It has 20% protein.

Dang, good to know. I didn't pay attention to the prices - just the chart on the back with the ages. I'll be picking up some starter today when I pick up the chicks, then. I might just throw the rest of the finisher out to the run periodically so they have something to scratch around for. lol

 

[chicks are life]

If only they made chick feed in pellets to much gets wasted but m switching to fermented so I guess it dosent matter