how much food to buy for chicks?

Thunder Bay Chicken

Songster
9 Years
Oct 21, 2010
106
9
101
North of Thunder Bay
I'm getting my chicks very soon, so I will be buying food this week and was wondering how much to buy for the different stages?

Anybody? rough estimate. STD Heavy/Large birds.


First 4 or 6 weeks of STARTER for 76 chicks?

Next 10-12 weeks or so of GROWER for 76 chicks?


Thx in advance...



EDIT> Basically wondering how many bags/week for that many birds?
 
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You mean you havent already applied for that second mortgage on your home? Traded your car title for a loan or begun selling plasma to the local blood bank?

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I feed Purina Start & Grow and it's recommended until 16 weeks (or when they start laying I was told) and then switch to a laying feed. I have mostly heavy breeds that will not start laying until much later than 16 weeks most likely. I started with 2 chicks and a small bag and that lasted those 2 4 weeks with me also supplementing occaisonal extras like eggs and fruit.

So I notice the girls that are outside (9 week old Jersey Giants and 6 week old LIght Brahma) don't eat as much food as I expected them too because they free range in my pasture when I let them out for the day. I still supplement yogurt and fruits for them that are available as well.

So I bought a 50lb bag of food a week ago. I ahve 3 2 week old chicks, 6 1 week old chicks, and the 5 girls outside. I'd say they are going through about 10 lbs a week. I have to fill up the baby chicks food everyday because it's almost empty in the morning.

I hope that helps.
 
I used a 25 lb bag of Start and Grow for 16 chicks in 4 weeks, so I guess that comes out to about 120 lbs/76 chicks/1month, but of course, they're going to start eating more now that they're getting so big...

Mine are 4 weeks old and all standard: BR's, EE's and Polish.

First time for me, so I can't help you with the next several months!
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I'm very new at this and have 26- 2 1/2 week olds and 12-1 week olds. I use Purina Start and Grow 18 % and am on my first 50 lb. bag. They eat round the clock. Be cautious about hoarding food though because it can lose it's nutritional value quickly within months. I always look at the little tag to buy the freshest bag. Tried to get some last week at TSC, but they were out, so keep some extra. Found some yesterday at another store.
 
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I only have 5 chicks, but different ages. Hubby bought the 50lb bag of starter with 18% protien. I was planning on using starter until the youngest is 8 weeks. Which will be a while. I'm picking up a new one in 2 days!
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