Recommendations on feed to move to after chick starter

[Peppercorngal]

Hi,

We have 2 australorp chicks, just over 4 weeks old. We are currently feeding them the Lauke medicated chick starter. The packet says to feed it until 6 weeks, and then "from 6 weeks of age until point of lay feed “Pullet Grower MP” or “Red Hen Pullet”"

In my reading I've seen that chickens don't always respond well to a change of feed. Any tips on how to do it?

Also, any brand recommendations for Australia on what to transition to next? And is it from 6 weeks we start to change over or later? Many websites says 8-10 weeks.

Thanks

I'm in the USA, so I guess things may be different regarding feeds available. I would definitely start (if you haven't already) giving your chicks food! Give them spinach, boiled eggs crumbled (if you can afford to do that), give them worms and dried meal worms. If they were with their mother they would be naturally eating grasses, bugs and all sorts of things from day one. If your chicks were not vaccinated I'd stick with the medicated. If they were vaccinated and you started them on medicated I'd stick with the medicated until 3 months. When they have all feathers you can give them almost any kitchen leftover that is not loaded with salt, sugar or spice. They love to have something to do, you can hang a cabbage or lettuce head in the run for them to play with and eat. Adults love fruits, watermelon, grapes, tomatoes, all salad leftovers! Good luck with those pretties!

 

[Belbris]

I'm in the USA, so I guess things may be different regarding feeds available. I would definitely start (if you haven't already) giving your chicks food! Give them spinach, boiled eggs crumbled (if you can afford to do that), give them worms and dried meal worms. If they were with their mother they would be naturally eating grasses, bugs and all sorts of things from day one. If your chicks were not vaccinated I'd stick with the medicated. If they were vaccinated and you started them on medicated I'd stick with the medicated until 3 months. When they have all feathers you can give them almost any kitchen leftover that is not loaded with salt, sugar or spice. They love to have something to do, you can hang a cabbage or lettuce head in the run for them to play with and eat. Adults love fruits, watermelon, grapes, tomatoes, all salad leftovers! Good luck with those pretties!

They were vaccinated as day old chicks. We try to put them on the grass most afternoons for an hour and they nibble at grass, peck up things from the soil etc. I thought you had to wait until around 5 weeks for the food scraps etc. I look forward to growing greens for them, maybe sprouting some stuff, and giving them kitchen scraps. They are feathering in well so hopefully will be ready to transition outside soon.

 

[Folly's place]

Marek's vaccinations have nothing to do with medicated feed! It's usually to help with coccidia.
Mary

 

[Belbris]

@potato chip @Teila what do you use?

@Belbris Is there a non-medicated chick starter available? I don't see one listed on the Laucke Mills site. Even the MP Pullet Grower is medicated. The biggest concern I see with any of the options you listed is the protein% The chick starter is good at 20% but then everything drops to 15-16% except for the "Red Hen Chick" which is 23% (non-medicated). http://www.lauckemills.com.au/

A good rule of thumb would be to continue with chick starter or an all flock type feed until they begin laying eggs. Once they are laying, then you can use layer feed or continue with an all flock feed.

Hopefully more people from Australia will chime in with what they use.

I’m not sure if non medicated is available. I need to visit the pet shop but we went with the feed type the breeder had recommended. I might check with her what she recommends and when to change.

 

[Belbris]

Marek's vaccinations have nothing to do with medicated feed! It's usually to help with coccidia.
Mary

They had some powder daily when we first got them to help with coccidia also. I’m not sure what it was called as the breeder gave it to us.

 

[Nyla]

I feed all my animals once off starter crumble onto straight Fodders grass. 1lb of Barley turns into 6-8 lbs of feed for me! My animals won't touch normal feed now!
Best of luck! I know DUMAR from Tractor Supply is pretty cheap brand $9 for a 50lb bag

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Belbris it's a great idea to ask the breeder what they recommend since they should know what feeds are available in your area

If your chicks were not vaccinated I'd stick with the medicated. If they were vaccinated and you started them on medicated I'd stick with the medicated until 3 months.

@Peppercorngal what vaccination are you referring to?

 

[chickenmeadow]

X3.........Non-medicated chick starter (16%), to a Flock Raiser (Purina - 20%) for chicks & adults (with separate oyster shell positioned higher if possible for layers only) when the chicks integrate with the flock, until chicks are near laying age & can handle layer pellets. Transition the feed changes by mixing next change in. Best wishes.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Also, any brand recommendations for Australia on what to transition to next?

Great suggestions everyone, but keep in mind the OP's original post - brand recommendations for Australia

 

[User395221]

They had some powder daily when we first got them to help with coccidia also. I’m not sure what it was called as the breeder gave it to us.

amprolium?

In my experience the pet shops only have standard layer feed, nothing else. To get the starter feed or anything else, you need to find a stock feed type place.

The chook farm lady also told me that grower isn't really needed. From what I have read, the important thing is not to feed the babies calcium because their kidneys can't cope, but as mentioned there's not a big difference between "starter" and "grower" other than it possibly losing the lasocid or whatever that other medication is called.