Out of chick feed

[Corey NC]

I am out of chick feed and won't be able to get to the feed store for two days. Is it too early to switch my 15 weekers to the layer's pellets? If it is too early is it ok for them to eat it for two days until I can get to the feed store?

 

[picklespickles]

some feed is always better than no feed. dont' worry. just do it.

 

[arlee453]

I went ahead and started mixing the chick and layer feed together when my girls hit 17 weeks. This last fill up was all layer feed.

Haven't started giving calcium/oyster shell yet - will hold off on THAT until I get that first egg...

I think they will be fine. Better layer feed than no feed!

 

[bantymum]

Yes I agree, just do it, perhaps you can give them some rice or pasta as well just to break it up!
My chicks always get into mummas feed at that age and it does them no harm that I can see.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

If it was me, I'd give the layer feed for a couple of days and then put them back on non-layer when you can get some, until they actually start laying. Depending on the breed, it could be as much as 2 months before they start to lay.

 

[edster951]

Quote:
my chicks are 6 weeks old and they eat the same as the other girls. A mixture of mash, pellets, grains, free reange.

I keep them on chick mash for 2-3 weeks, mixing in some layer pellets and mixing it with warm water into a runny paste.

They seem to do ok.