You will get a lot of different opinions, different strokes for different folks. I personally use the Purina medicated chick starter for my chicks. I hatch out a few hundred chicks every year. I'm getting ready to load my incubator up for this years hatch. When the chicks are around 8 weeks old I switch them over to Nutrena All Flock pellets which I feed to to all of the birds. The pellets are a little smaller than layer pellets. It is 20% protein which is good for their development and since their feathers are made of primarily protein. I do show my birds at poultry shows and have done well at the shows. Good luck with your chicks and have fun...