Question about Food for 5 week olds

[Babe77]

I have 5 weeks olds and just finished the Starter Chick 20 by Kent http://www.kentfeeds.com/getdoc/1b8c50c1-1c74-40a3-97c5-c7ddad81791d/3313-pdf.aspx that I purchased at the feed store. Upon going to get another bag, I was told that they no longer need the medicated Chick Go and that I should go to Kent Extra Egg 16, http://www.kentfeeds.com/getdoc/f4027bb3-0d64-4741-9bb0-a1b2f25aa256/3459-pdf.aspx.

While reading the information on these 2 products, I am confused. The Starter says:

Feeding Directions
Replacement Chicks: Feed continuously as sole diet until replacement
birds are 18 weeks of age. At this time they can be switched to Kent Extra Egg 16. From 8 to 18 weeks of age replacement birds can be fed a grind and mix developer diet using 36 GM

Poultry Base.

The Kent Extra Egg 16 says:

Feeding Directions
Extra Egg 16 is to be fed to birds starting at approximately 18 weeks of age and can be fed throughout the laying period.

So the burning question, do I keep them on the Starter Go medicated or switch or mix the 2?

 

[jen5680]

I was sooooooo confused also on what to feed. everyone tells you something different and everything i read tells me something different.
So anyway i went to buy some more chicks from this guy and let me tell ya he new chickens!! i sucked as much info from his brain as i possibly could and he said that he gives ALL his birds, from baby to full grown 18 %. He had tons of chickens and also sells his meat to local restraunts, breeds, eats,hatches, you name it. it was really nice to finally get a answer from someone that i actually saw new what he was doing. so anyway i am taking his advise.
hope this helps you to.

 

[Babe77]

The Chick Go is 20 % and medicated and this new stuff they sold me is 16 %. Still in a quandary as to which to give them or to mix the 2.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

You need to give them the starter until they start laying which is about 20 wks average.

Mine started laying last Wed. I started mine on Nutrena Layer pellets 2 wks ago at 18 wks when they really started acting like they were going to start laying any time.

Good luck to you

 

[Davaroo]

Here's the straight skinny on feed.

Starter, til 8-12 weeks
Grower, 12-18 weeks
Layer feed, 20 weeks on.

Now, these numbers can vary a little - only a few things are cast in stone with chickens.

5 weeks is to soon for layer feed, though. Too much calcium, which they cannot yet process.

If it were me, Id just keep them on starter till the switch to layer feed.

And in case you didn't know it yet, feed store people don't always know what they're talking about.

 

[Babe77]

Thanks a bunch...~*Sweet Cheeks*~

Davaroo wrote:

Go figure and these people raise chickens. So then I should stay with the Medicated Chick Go or find a different place that has non medicated Chick Grower?

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
I would keep medicated feed for the first 8 weeks or so. After that it is generally considered optional. It does no harm to continue them on it as long as you wish.

The reason it is in starter feed is to combat coccidiosis. "Cocci," as it's called, is an amoebic intestinal parasite which can quickly decimate a flock, especially the young. It is most common where chickens have been raised before and the bugs have harbored in the soil. They can remain viable for some time and this is one reason why it is always recommended to rotate our hen yard annually.

If you are new to chickens and have never had them in your location, then cocci is not likely to be problem. However, it can be brought in from afar by wild birds and even some other critters, like dogs and cats. So it is almost universal in chick feed - and for good reason.

 

[cmom]

If the store only sells the two feeds ,keep them on the Starter Go medicated Until 18 weeks or until you get your first egg. I use medicated Starter/Grower I feed it to the birds until I get my first egg then I switch over to Layer. If I have any Starter, Starter/Grower or Grower left over when I get my first egg, I mix in the leftover feed with the Layer feed. I have never had any problems. The amprollium in the starter helps in the chicks development in their resistance to cocci. It is sulfa based. There is only a problem eating the eggs layed by the birds that have had the medicated feed when they start to lay if you have any allergies to Sulfa.

 

[swift081702]

My Pet Chicken sells a layer developer? It says to start at 5 weeks, until laying? Any experience with this?

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Six of one half dozen of another, I'm guessing.
Chick Grower sounds a lot like 'layer developer'.

Don't you just love marketing hype?