Is it OK to change brands of feed when they need to change feed%?

[Teyram]

I'm getting baby chicks next month and going to buy everything now. Is it OK to have 1 brand of feed for the babies and then change brands as they grow up. Right now we are in code red and the stores are running out of very low of stock. So I can only buy one brand for the babies and one brand for layers. The brand for babies are only for day old to 12 days. So I feel I should buy both right now, what do you guys think?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Short answer: yes you can switch brands.

However, I wouldn't "stock up" - feed doesn't have as long of a shelf life as you might think, so it's going to lose nutritional value by the time you get to it.

You'd be better off getting a big bag of chick feed and using it up, then probably getting more of the same. You will run out of chick feed long before you ever need to touch a bag of layer feed.

Also... I have never seen a feed that's only good up to 12 days old? Do you have a link to this product?

 

[Teyram]

This is the starter food that I want to use and I can't get the any other feed from this brand right now. So will it be OK to give them longer?

 

[kerbotx]

In my opinion, they are just trying to get you to buy more of their feed, but you don't have to follow their plan. There are lots of ways to do it, but generally, chicks need protein 18-20% & calcium about 1%; layers need protein 16-20% & calcium 3-4%. Some people use a grower feed or an all-flock feed for the "teenagers" in between chick & layer, but not always. Just don't give layer feed before 16 weeks, and have oyster shell on the side for calcium, and you can make anything else work.

 

[Ascholten]

Changing brands is not going to hurt a thing as long as you are getting good food. If it's got all the vitamins / nutrients etc they need, then it don't matter if Purina, or Pollywonkers makes it. Think of it this way, what would happen if your normal brand went out of business? Do they starve now or learn to eat another brand? Up north, seasons change and their favorite .vs. available foods constantly change too. Give em some of that tough love, you'll EAT IT and you'll LIKE IT!! now finish your plate!!

Aaron

 

[Teyram]

Thank you very much for the replies. I will be buying the feed next month. I will be getting 10 chicks around Feb. 20th.

 

[rosemarythyme]

This is the starter food that I want to use and I can't get the any other feed from this brand right now. So will it be OK to give them longer?

In my opinion, they are just trying to get you to buy more of their feed, but you don't have to follow their plan. There are lots of ways to do it, but generally, chicks need protein 18-20% & calcium about 1%; layers need protein 16-20% & calcium 3-4%. Some people use a grower feed or an all-flock feed for the "teenagers" in between chick & layer, but not always. Just don't give layer feed before 16 weeks, and have oyster shell on the side for calcium, and you can make anything else work.

Agree w/ kerbotx, sounds like they're trying to sell feed. I would start with a bag of the 20% chick feed (if your store doesn't carry that, then the 23%), then when you run out of it, you can switch to the 18% grower if you want. I'd stay on that until they start laying, then you can switch to layer (18% one would be better if they carry it) if you want, or stay with the 18% grower w/ calcium on the side.

 

[Ascholten]

A bag of crushed oyster shells are very cheap. Leave a little pile for them to pick through as they need it. That way you know they always have the calcium they may need and its good for the gizzard too Im thinking.

Aaron