how long can you feed chick feed?

[fostermom55]

I am wondering how long you can give chickens chick starter. I ended up with extra because the chicks wouldn't eat the second bag I bought, when the store didn't have what I started with. They eat them both now, but I am going to end up having some left when they are old enough to start laying. Can I mix it in with other feed to use it up?

 

[widelacing]

It is fine to feed them chick starter for longer than necessary by my experience. When I have chicks in my coop along with the big girls, I mix chick starter in with the normal rations and everything has gone well.

 

[fostermom55]

thank you for your response!

 

[TwoCrows]

X2. When I mix pullets into an adult flock, I will keep everybody on chick starter for an extended time until everyone is laying. A little higher protein wont hurt, just make sure to offer up oyster shell on the side when they do start laying when using starter only.

 

[fostermom55]

thank you!