Hello, I will soon be picking up some new chicks.

[Onevermind]

I want to make a recipe for homemade chick starter for them. Is it safer to buy pre-made from the store ? How finely ground is the starter mix you buy?

 

[Pork Pie]

Welcome to BYC.In my humble opinion, it is safer and more economical to buy commercially available feed.
Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue
• How to start a new thread
• Find other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below (turn your phone to landscape to see them).
• Hatching / Chick-care

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. I agree with Mr Porky on the commercial diet for chicks.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Not trying to be a negative Nancy but....

There is a lot of science that has gone into the formulated chick starters.
Just the logistics of obtaining the necessary ingredients is daunting....add covid-19 and it becomes near impossible. Then there are the machines used to evenly mix them, the storing so things stay fresh and that many ingredients cannot be obtained in small quantities as they are sold for commercial production. The cost of making ones own is incredibly high.

Nutrition for chicks is critical to long healthy lives.

It really is best to go with a formulated chick starter.
Never use chick, or chicken feed that the mill date is 6 months in the past.
Always buy the freshest you can.
Many nutrients degrade over time.

 

[Onevermind]

So far the organic mixtures are unavailable in my local TSC; maybe the hatchery can sell me some when I pick them up? Some starter? couple mouthfuls?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I recommend you just get whatever quality chick starter you can find. If you can eventually find an organic brand you can switch them to that. But like the others I don't recommend you try to make it yourself.

 

[ronott1]

You have been given very good advice!

The eggs and chickens you have will not be organic simply by giving them organic feed. There are a lot of rules for that to happen.

Use the chick starter in stock that was advised and then switch later.

 

[Isaac 0]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal Flock!
BYC is the place to BE!
Great advice already given. Best of luck with your new chicks!

 

[drumstick diva]

Thank you for joining us at the pulse beat of the poultry community, BACKYARD CHICKENS.