I just went to the feed store today and I need to know if this is true

[Wynette]

Per several on here, different brands have different recommendations. My last batch, I used Dumor brand. They have a starter and a grower, different blends. I have to say I'm not happy with the brand; I've had two cockerels that had feather issues with it, so I switched to Kent; I'm happier with Kent, but it has only one formula.

Oh, and I've also fed Purina - seems like most of them recommend feeding starter OR grower until 18 weeks, then switching to layer formula.

 

[speckledhen]

Make sure that it's really FOOD GRADE DE! Some will tell you it is, even though it is not. I've had that experience, but being the skeptic I am, I always research and read labels for myself. And I know that feedstore people are notorious for giving out false information.
Starter and layer are different mainly in protein and calcium levels. Chicks need much higher protein and much lower calcium to grow properly. Then the percentages flip and hens need less protein and much more calcium. You can feed starter till they lay. Medicated starter can be changed to UNmedicated at a point from 8-12 weeks, if you begin them on medicated to combat cocci, but they can eat starter until they begin to lay, especially if it's a combo starter/grower.

 

[MissPrissy]

We don't get a choice here. Most places sell starter/grower - a general all purpose chick feed that is used up until the point of lay.

In your area places might sell a starter and a grower and some might sell a starter/grower. It really is no big deal. Either way feed them one or the other until they reach point of lay. When you see an egg you can start giving them layer feed. If you have starter/grower left over mix it in and keep going. It's fine. You won't harm your chicks/chickens.

 

[speckledhen]

MissP has a good point. No need to overthink it. Just feed them what you have available, either starter or starter/grower till they start laying, then feed layer feed. Most of us are limited to what is available in our area, truthfully. I can't find a starter to save my life unless I drive an hour away, for instance. And no way I'm doing that!

 

[Break an Egg]

Okay good I don't have to worry. Lanissa hi, I go to Moore's off of S. Flores. They have everything there.

I was just there yesterday and they have the cutest assortment of banties, rir, white leghorn, br's, and nhr's, and they also have turkeys, ducks, geese, and bunnies.

And they are also very nice.

 

[Lanissa86]

Texas Star Thanks for telling me where this great feed store was! Wow! Such nice people there! Needless to say, I did come home with 3 Bantams! They are SOOOOOOO TINY! I will put pics up on a new Thread a little later to see if any can take a shot at what they are! The people there do not know chicken breeds for the life of em' though! I picked out 3 feather legged bantams, I am crossing my fingers that 1 is a Silkie! My son cried for 2 ducks since I sold his other two earlier this year...then he pointed that out to me and it made me feel bad! So now we have 2 ducks as well! My 26 Eggs are due to hatch in 2 weeks also!! Wow, I think I feel an addiction coming on......

 

[Break an Egg]

It's really great right? I saw a black or blue silkie in there yesterday, and they seem to always have bantums because the ppl that go there usually just want big laying hens.

Your welcome! Hope you had fun! I wanna see pics soon.

 

[SusanJoM]

In one of the many books I have had beside my bed in the past few weeks, there was one that dealt with the issue of adjusting the protein level in feed when the feed store doesn't have anything available between starter and layer.

He referred to something called Pearson's Square and explained how to use it to calculate how much grain (e.g. oats) to add to the particular starter formula (based on its protein percentage) to change it to the more desirable protein level for growing but not yet laying birds.

I will see if I can re-locate the information or maybe someone else knows about this, and/or ....there's always Google.

Susan

Edit: well, here's one reference to Pearson's Square in relation to feeding chickens
http://www.geocities.com/solarcereal/Biophilia5b.html

 

[JordanFamily]

Get a grower feed... Growing hens and roos do not need all that extra calcium that layer feed has.

 

[Lanissa86]

You saw a blue??? I might have to go back in the morning! I was looking for more silkies but only saw this white one that I was just guessing was one! Never had silkies before but WOW I sure do want lots of them! lol.