Layers pellets advice

[Lili Smith]

i am running out of chick crumb and my chicks are 5 weeks old. I am going to get some growers pellets but I don’t know how much they will eat or how fast they will go through it. Please comment how much your chicks eat, thanks.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

A serama will eat way less than half what a Jersey Giant or - heaven forbid - a Cornish Rock will eat. And then there is the issue of waste. Chickens will waste a lot of feed if the feeder doesn't prevent billing out.
What I'm saying is that it is impossible to compare consumption of one flock to another.
Let me just share, whatever they've eaten up to 5 weeks, they will continue to eat more as they grow.

 

[azygous]

I'm going to interpret your post as wanting to know how much chicks will eat between now and the time they begin to lay so you will be able to plan on them finishing whatever you buy so there won't be any left over when you switch them to layer feed.

First of all, you don't need to feed them layer pellets when they begin to lay. You may continue to feed grower forever as long as you supply calcium in the form of oyster shell.

For that matter, you may also continue to feed chick crumbles all the way until they begin to lay and beyond. Not many folks take the time to compare labels on chick feed and grower. It might surprise you to know the two types of feed are practically identical. Chick crumbles may be ground up a tad finer is all.

So. No need to stampede into another form of feed. You have several options. Make the choice that feels most comfortable to your management style.

 

[lazy gardener]

How many chicks? Do you have any older birds? You can keep them on unmedicated starter crumble, or switch them to a grower which is at least 18%, or put them on a multi flock feed which is 18 - 22% protein, and keep them on that until they start laying. Your choice whether you then put them on layer, or keep them on one of the other feeds. Grower here is only 15%, so I never buy it, and I am comfortable putting my youngsters on layer any time after the pullets get their cluck (meaning they no longer peep like babies, but cluck like hens. They are still youngsters, but they are going through chickie puberty).

IMO, the most important thing is to see to it that their feed is not stale. 6 weeks after feed is milled, the nutrients start to break down. I try to finish up a bag of feed before it is 6 weeks old. Always check the mill date on the sew tape on the bottom of the bag before buying the feed.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Not sure I would buy pellets for 5 week old chicks. Stick with the crumbles.

 

[Folly's place]

I wouldn't feed pellets to the little ones either. My choice has been to feed everyone Flock Raiser crumble, with oyster shell on the side, and never worry about changing the feed type.
Mary