How long to feed chick starter?

[GC-Raptor]

Should Oyste shells be provided once they are of laying age in case they need more calcium, or should it be available all the time?

I offer Oyster Shells after 16 weeks old.
Poultry Grit after 7 weeks old.

Can you feed Flock Raiser if you only have 4?

I have 5 hens 1 1/2 to 4 years old. I feed either Flock Raiser or a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower. I buy whichever is available, fresher or on sale.
I'm currently feeding a Starter-Grower. It was on sale. GC

 

[getaclue]

You can feed flock raiser regardless of the number of chickens. When they being to lay, add free choice oyster shell.

 

[hcdeshazer]

Here’s what I’m currently doing (not sure if it’s right or wrong but it’s my plan. My girls are 2.5 months old. I went through 1 bag of starter. Then mixed my 2nd and 3rd bag of starter with some scratch. They love it. After my third bag runs out which should be when they are around 4 months old, I’ll switch to a layer feed.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Here’s what I’m currently doing (not sure if it’s right or wrong but it’s my plan. My girls are 2.5 months old. I went through 1 bag of starter. Then mixed my 2nd and 3rd bag of starter with some scratch. They love it. After my third bag runs out which should be when they are around 4 months old, I’ll switch to a layer feed.

I'm sure they love it. They feel like you are feeding them candy. But by mixing starter with scratch, you are dramatically lowering the protein of the resulting feed. Starter is usually at least 18% protein, which is what your birds need. Scratch is between 8 and 10% protein. Depending on what percentage they are getting, they could be developmentally impaired.

 

[hcdeshazer]

I'm sure they love it. They feel like you are feeding them candy. But by mixing starter with scratch, you are dramatically lowering the protein of the resulting feed. Starter is usually at least 18% protein, which is what your birds need. Scratch is between 8 and 10% protein. Depending on what percentage they are getting, they could be developmentally impaired.

They seem okay. Are still growing like weeds. They also get a little bit of mealworms daily and any earthworm we find we give to them.

 

[getaclue]

That's not a very good diet for them, even if they like it, and seem ok now.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They seem okay. Are still growing like weeds. They also get a little bit of mealworms daily and any earthworm we find we give to them.

I used to find earthworms and other invertebrates for the chickens till I learned that earthworms and other chicken prey were intermediate hosts of parasitic worms.

 

[hcdeshazer]

That's not a very good diet for them, even if they like it, and seem ok now.

5 pounds of starter mixed with 1 pound of scratch. Their food is always full. They have access to it 24 hours a day.

 

[ChickNanny13]

What is mealworm training? After about a couple weeks old, I squish some dried MW in my hand & offer to the chicks. Takes them a while but once they acquire it, they'll come running. I also put some in plastic sour cream container, shake then put your hand out with MW. They associate the sound to they treat & when adults will come running. Can also do it with feed.

Do you add the grit in to their feed or a separate dish? Yes grit is placed in a separate dish to be ate as needed.

Should Oyste shells be provided once they are of laying age in case they need more calcium, or should it be available all the time? Oyster Shells should be available for them when they start laying, they will eat as needed. Even if you feed layer feed, it's best to have some available.

LOL sorry for all the questions. Trying to get as much info as possible before we get our chicks Questions in preparation is alot better than after the fact, no apologies needed.

Can you feed Flock Raiser if you only have 4? Yes, Flock Raiser can be fed from day one, although I prefer feeding medicated starter (smallest bag) until done then switch, I don't feed layer. My "flock" is 4

 

[ChickenCanoe]

5 pounds of starter mixed with 1 pound of scratch. Their food is always full. They have access to it 24 hours a day.

That will net about 16% crude protein. Too low for growing birds.
Chickens don't eat at night because they can't see then.