⠀ how long do I feed chick start

[Castle Rock]

My chicks are five weeks old. They are Rhode Island red's. How long do they get chick start? I'm new to this.

 

[eviemethugh]

Ehhh most people I think just finish off that first bag of chick start and then switch. It's up to you. There should be directions on the back of the bag. Technically layer feed has calcium in it that may be harmful to the birds livers if they eat it before they begin laying eggs (usually around 20 weeks old depending on the weather in your area and when they have their first feather molt)

 

[MakelaNJoe]

From my understanding from what ive read here on BYC you dont want to feed chickens layer feed until they are actually laying eggs there is alot of calcium in there for a pullet instead of a laying hen. I believe layer feed is 4% and a grower/starter feed is more like 1% calcium too much calcium can be damaging to a young chick that isnt in need of it. Hope this helps im new to chickens but this is my understanding.

 

[Toddrick]

You can technically feed Starter feed forever as long as there is separate calcium. It's basically the same as Flock Raiser feed I believe, just crumbled more. But you do not want to feed them Layers feed until they are about to lay (~18wks for production breeds). As stated, too much calcium isn't supposed to be good until they begin egg production.