How long to feed the babies chick feed?

[Wizbop]

Mine are 4 weeks old. I think I read somewhere 8 weeks old. Can someone help me out here? Then, what do I switch to? When do I give them gravel/grit? Any help is appreciated. Newbie here.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

I go to 16 weeks on 24% protein starter, it has grit in it, and they will get SOME off the ground anyway. That's just how I do it though. Others will give their formula for raising too.

 

[HEChicken]

You can feed chick starter to 8 weeks, then Flock Raiser to laying age, or you can just feed the chick starter all the way until they're laying and then switch to a laying formula. OR, keep them on the Flock Raiser permanently with Oyster Shell free choice for the layers. There are no truly right or wrong answers and lots of variation depending on circumstances. I fed my first chicks the chick starter, then switched to Flock Raiser. A few weeks ago I got some new chicks and since I already had Flock Raiser crumbles, guess what they got from the get go? (And yes, they're thriving).

 

[WoodlandWoman]

The only really golden rule is to not feed them layer feed until they are laying, because of the extra calcium. Until then, people feed starter, grower, starter/grower or flock raiser.

They need grit whenever they are eating anything other than the finely processed foods. Grass, treats or grains, including the prepared feeds that have a chunkier cracked or whole grain base.