My first chicks are coming from Meyer in late Feb. or early March, and I'm starting to get ready. I'm reading up on how to feed and care for the little guys (or, hopefully, girls!), but I'm having a hard time getting a handle on just how much bantam babies are going to eat. I don't want to buy a huge bag of starter, and then be left with all kinds of leftovers when the chicks switch to "big kid" food. Can anyone tell me how big a bag I should get -- or if there's anywhere to buy chick starter in bulk? Meyer has a "starter kit" of 5 lbs. medicated chick starter, 1 lb. starter grit, 1 vitamin electrolyte package, and 1 package of Grogel for $23.94, but I honestly have no idea how far this stuff will go with 17 bantams. Once they're old enough for us to sex them accurately we'll be down to 6 - 8 of them, and hopefully find homes for the rest.... Thanks for your help!
When I got my first chicks (3 large fowl) last May, I bought a 25# bag of starter thinking it would last forever! I ended up going through 2 1/2 25# bags before they switched to layer. I would start with a 25# at least since you will have 17!
You want to buy the feed in moderation because, if you by a huge bag and keep it for longer then 2 weeks it might start to get stale and the birds not want it. Although expect around 15 bantam chicks eating a pound of food a day and that feed be required for about a month or two.
I went through a 50 # bag with only 12 and that took them to the age where you can buy the grower food. I also had some left over from my last hatch and put the remainder in the freezer and it stayed just fine for the next small batch I had about 4 months later.
