how long till i switch to scratch feed

[zade11]

Hi all! Zade here again with another question. So, I was wondering how long before i switch from my chick starter to scratch feed? my 6 americaunas are around 3-4 weeks old and my 5 assorted bantams are about 1-1.5 weeks old.

 

[chickerdoodle]

Scratch is not feed its just given as a treat. They stay on starter for 5-8 weeks than you can use a grower/developer (a lower protein than layer and starter to prevent them from maturing too quick) then layer when they start laying or no sooner than 4-5 months of age. The extra calcium in the layer feed is not good for young chicks so best not to start it too soon. Scratch or any treats should not exceed 20% of the regular feed or you may upset their proper nutrition and have problems. be sure they get grit if you feed anything other than commercial feed!

 

[springchick91]

what can be done if the store sell starter/grower. can they continue to just keep on that tell 18 weeks when they swich to layenne

 

[noitulover]

also, grit and oyster shell are not the same thing and cannot be used interchangeably... i've seen that question a lot around here....

grit is crushed granite, swallowed by chickens to grind up food in their crops...

oyster shell is provided for the extra calcium that chickens need to lay eggs (to form the shell)

 

[HEChicken]

Quote:
Yes - its fine to keep them on the starter food until they start to lay. Don't switch at 18 weeks - wait until they are squatting (which means eggs are imminent) or you see the first egg. While some hens lay as early as 18 weeks, many don't, so you don't want to put them on the layer food too soon.

 

[HEChicken]

Quote:
In short, NEVER. Scratch should never be their total diet as it simply does not contain the nutrition they need to produce eggs. They need a nutritionally complete food that is age/development appropriate. You don't need to ever feed scratch but if you do, it should not be anything more than a treat. I bought a 25-lb bag of scratch last October and give them one handful between 6 hens once a week or so when I feel like treating them.

 

[trilyn]

Quote:
Yes - its fine to keep them on the starter food until they start to lay. Don't switch at 18 weeks - wait until they are squatting (which means eggs are imminent) or you see the first egg. While some hens lay as early as 18 weeks, many don't, so you don't want to put them on the layer food too soon.

Sorry, completely misread the post, I thought the op was talking about medicated starter. If they are, then no don't keep them on medicated, chicks don't need it after 8 weeks.

 

[noitulover]

i give more scratch treats in the winter, as i do black oil sunflower seed (BOSS)... the carbs and oils from the BOSS and scratch help keep the chickens warm, and the break from laying gives their bodies a chance to rest...

then again, my chickens are pets first and eggs second, so it will depend on your priorities...

if they are bored, a handful of scratch is a good thing to toss in to keep them pecking at the ground all day...