How long should I keep my chickens on starter feed?

[KDrake]

Hey all!
This is my first year owning chickens, so I always question everything I do. When should I switch our chickens to pellet feed? They range in age from about 10 weeks to 13 weeks. I read somewhere about grower feed (I think?), which is different from layer feed (I think?). I also read that they can stay on starter crumbles for the first year.
Help!

 

[sylviethecochin]

For many brands, starter's only difference from grower is protein percentage. Cheapest starter is 18%, cheapest grower is 15%, cheapest layer is 16%.

Layer feed has added calcium.

You can feed layer past 18 weeks.

Many people just feed all-flock (which is pretty close to 18% starter) to all of their birds and supply calcium for the laying hens on the side.

 

[KDrake]

For many brands, starter's only difference from grower is protein percentage. Cheapest starter is 18%, cheapest grower is 15%, cheapest layer is 16%.

Layer feed has added calcium.

You can feed layer past 18 weeks.

Many people just feed all-flock (which is pretty close to 18% starter) to all of their birds and supply calcium for the laying hens on the side.

Awesome. Thank you! I just found something called Henny Penny Scratch that says it's for chickens of all ages. Do you know if this is just a treat type of food, or actual feed?

 

[Abriana]

Starter: first 2 weeks
Grower: 2 weeks-first egg
Layer: first egg+

 

[sylviethecochin]

Awesome. Thank you! I just found something called Henny Penny Scratch that says it's for chickens of all ages. Do you know if this is just a treat type of food, or actual feed?

14.5% protein min, with added vitamins and minerals, and far too much fat, according to one of the answers I found to questions. There's not even a nuritional analysis I can find online. Your chicks would love it as a treat, but it's more desert than complete diet.

 

[Chicksandhorsesandogsohmy]

My ladies wont eat pellets unless theyre starving. I tried t tough it out once and it took them three days for what was ususlly gone in onee. Just a little heads up in case they don't seem intrested in the pellets. You may need to use a crumble instead.

 

[tjo804]

Awesome. Thank you! I just found something called Henny Penny Scratch that says it's for chickens of all ages. Do you know if this is just a treat type of food, or actual feed?

Yes, scratch is usually a treat. I only use scratch in the winter as many of the corns and grains raise the body temp of the chickens and in hot areas it can be bad.

 

[lazy gardener]

Check the protein of the "Henny Penny Scratch". Most likely, it's just a scratch grain, which is not a balanced ration. I only use scratch when I need to lure my birds to a particular area. It's great for training them to return to the run when free ranging.

Your birds should be getting a balanced ration. I do not give less than 16% protein to any of my birds. A lot depends on what you are using for starter. Most recommendations are to not feed MEDICATED starter past 8 - 10 weeks. I've never used medicated, and never had issues with coccidiosis.

As far as the assertion that scratch will raise body temp: a calorie is a calorie. It matters not where the calorie comes from. My ground is frozen from Nov. to April. My birds get no more scratch in the winter than they do in the summer. I prefer that the feed calories that they consume are balanced. (comparatively, scratch is like us eating candy bars and potato chips. Not much nutritional benefit there, though the calorie count is high.)

Read the information on your feed bag. There should be a chart that tells you what formulation your birds should be eating at a certain age.

There is plenty of wiggle room with this. My whole flock goes on unmedicated starter when I have chicks hatching. They stay on the starter until my chicks loose their peep and get their cluck. (voice change indicating they are going through puberty). Any time after that, I put the whole flock back on layer. Regardless of what feed they are on I keep oyster shell and egg shell available to the flock.

I've been fermenting my feed for about 6 years now.

 

[igorsMistress]

I've never switched from chick grower, just added oyster shell free choice. I also ferment their feed.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I also read that they can stay on starter crumbles for the first year.

My Golden Comets are 27 months old and I have been feeding them a Non-Medicated 18% Protein Start & Grow crumbles with a separate container of Oyster Shells since Memorial day. I have yet to get a Soft shell or thin shelled egg.
My girls started to feather pick when I switched to a 16% Layers feed.
18% Layers feed is available at some feed stores, but hard for me to find fresh.
I recommend a 18/20% feed. All-Flock/Flock Raiser or a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower/Start & Grow with Oyster Shells in a separate container.
Good for all ages of Backyard chickens. GC