Question: Grower food/layer crumbles

[jenjen]

My chickens are only approx. 10 weeks old. I asked for grower crumbles but noticed when I got home (after opening and putting in food container of course) that it says "Layer crumbles" on it. Will this hurt them or stunt them in anyway????

 

[kiya4jah]

Yes, the calcium will be too high and could harm their livers and bones. You will want to set that aside and keep them on grower feed until they start laying in about 8 to 10 weeks.

 

[arlee453]

It probably won't harm them for a few days until you can get back to get the right stuff. Then I'd just cut the layer crumbles at least 50/50 with regular chick starter, or put it aside until they are a little bit older.

When I move a batch of chicks outside, they first go into the grower pen, and then once they are large enough to hold their own (about 14 wks or so) I'll move them into the larger run with the other chickens. At that point they eat layer pellets with the older chickens and I've not had any bad effects at this point.

Still, 10 wks is a bit young, even for me...

 

[jenjen]

Thanks guys. I thought it wasn't right. I will be going to the "other" feed store from now on.

 

[go-veggie]

Oh no! I did the same thing, only I fed them the whole bag! Yikes! They've had their new bag of the right food now for the last 2 weeks, but uh oh, did I do any damage? They are 10 weeks old now.

I should have just set it aside.