Greetings, everyone. I just ordered 14 chicks from Ideal. This is my first flock. I haven't bought starter feed yet. I checked it out at the local feed store last week; it came in 50 lb bags!! Will 14 chicks eat that much, or should I look for a smaller size?
A 50lb bag will last you about 4-6 weeks with 14 chicks, maybe a little longer. They eat alot! We were buying 2o lb bags every 2 weeks with our chicks!
I think my bag is 20 pounds - my chicks are 5 weeks and the bag is less than a quarter full. I do throw some out though, they roost on the little red feeder and poop in it - and when I take them outside I put some in a dish and they kick it all over the place - I go through at least 4 - 5 cups a day. I've got 8 chicks.
That sounds about right. I brought home 18 chicks, 8 weeks old and that was the perfect amount. It didn't lay around getting stale or moldy but lasted long enough I was not constantly running to the feed store.
Today was my first day with the biddies and they have ate half of a quart in the past 12 hours. More than I expected. As far as water goes, I've watched them drink it all day, but it has only gone down a little bit not even a 1/4 of the jar. You'll probably buy another bag before you know it.
Suz, you'll go through several of those 50lb bags before they get old enough to go on layer rations at 18 weeks.
Don't you stop starter feed at around 6-7 weeks? then move onto grower or something, till 18-19 weeks and at that point layer feed?
I fed starter until 16 weeks, then switched to layers crumble. I went through 3 - 50 lb. bags of starter in 16 weeks for 12 chickens. Jess