Question about food when young & older chicks

[A Creekside Retreat]

Our chicks are 10 & 12 weeks old and we are looking to move them into the coop at night which will mean they have access to the older (2 yr old) chickens feeders. Looking for advice based on their age. we are getting 2 more bags of the chick starter food to last the next two weeks and hope to move them in 2 weeks and need to figure out what to order from IFA. Not sure if I should keep the, all on chick starter a little longer Or change to the poultry grower option. They will be 12 & 14 weeks at that point. thanks for the input!

 

[rosemarythyme]

At 10-14 weeks I'd be fine with using eihter starter or grower, so just go with what you like.

 

[A Creekside Retreat]

At 10-14 weeks I'd be fine with using eihter starter or grower, so just go with what you like.

Since the bigger /older girls are going to eat it too would that influence your decision?

 

[GC-Raptor]

Our chicks are 10 & 12 weeks old and we are looking to move them into the coop at night which will mean they have access to the older (2 yr old) chickens feeders. Looking for advice based on their age. we are getting 2 more bags of the chick starter food

The 2 year olds can eat Starter-Grower feed.
The Pullets shouldn't have a Layers feed till 18 weeks old or the first egg.
Do you offer Oyster Shells in a separate container for the Hens? How about Poultry Grit!
You don't want the Pullets to substitute shells for grit.
As for Starter or Grower feed. I feed a combo Starter-Grower 18%. I don't feed a 15% feed. 18 to 20% is what I feed Chicks and Pullets. GC

 

[Doc7]

I use Purina flock raiser Mostly but I will purchase Any major brand that has the latest manufacture date when I go to the store (tractor supply).


The way I figure, more than half the year:
- you have chicks
- you have hens not laying due to daylight hours
- you have hens not laying due to molt (and this can be months and months of the year if you look at all the times any single hen is molting)
- You have a broody
- You might have a roo

I just see no reason to buy layer feed when any given day one of these factors could be impacting the flock and layer feed would negatively impact at least one bird. This is why I don’t even consider any feed but the most recent mill date Flock Raiser (any brand) with a can of oyster shell always present

 

[rosemarythyme]

Since the bigger /older girls are going to eat it too would that influence your decision?

Not really. I find that my hens like the starter, grower and all flock feed I use. So while I have chicks it's just substituting chick appropriate feed for their layer pellets.

 

[A Creekside Retreat]

I appreciate all the feedback. Since they are still separated today’s delivery is the chick starter and layer for older ones. I told them in the next delivery in two weeks we want the flock raiser only. Hopefully get everyone together. We will keep oyster shell out going forward. It’s just been on the ground but we will add a bowl so more will be available.

i don’t think we got a rooster with the new littles, and I keep on the broody one so she gets broken as soon as possible (we just have one repeater). I didnt realize the flock raiser would be better for them and molting so maybe we will consider staying on flock raiser over layer pellets... they make a soy free organic layer pellet which is what we considering changing too once all were laying.

slightly jealous you all get to go shopping and pick types and dates, very limited supply in Moab (small town) and having it delivered strait from IFA twice a week seems to be our most cost efficient method. I also planted some poultry feed seeds so hopefully can get the ladies grazing occasionally in the near future. Thanks again all, great to feel reassured we are doing the right thing at the right time.