Should I feed Anyways?

[Chickenupho]

Hi y’all! My chicks are on their fifth week now, and their back of chick starter is almost gone. My dad recently bought a 50 pound bag of food for LAYING HENS *cough cough. Without my knowledge he mixed about 3 cups of the feed to the remaining chick starter. Should I just feed it anyways?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Layer feed is detrimental to developing chicks. I would just get a new bag.

 

[Chickenupho]

Layer feed is detrimental to developing chicks. I would just get a new bag.

TT my dad says it’s not a big deal and he refuses to.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

TT my dad says it’s not a big deal and he refuses to.

Well he’s wrong as to it not being a big deal. The calcium content of layer feed is too much for 5 week old chicks. Pullets should only be fed starter then grower until their first lay.

 

[Chickenupho]

Well he’s wrong as to it not being a big deal. The calcium content of layer feed is too much for 5 week old chicks. Pullets should only be fed starter then grower until their first lay.

I-

 

[Chickenupho]

My dad pulled up a blog where they use layer feed on chicks and just crush it into smaller pieces and add additional protein using scrambled eggs and such:
https://afarmishkindoflife.com/dont-use-chick-starter/

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

It’s not the lack of protein that is the issue but the excess calcium. The chicks cannot process the calcium at this stage in their development and it is stored in their kidneys leading to short lifespan or death.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

You'll be fine....... I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The first reason listed in that link is "the guy at the feed store said we don't need to".



Maybe 50 years ago most birds became dinner before the heath detriments became issues too.

There is a reason that chick started exists. It isn't about money.....It costs the same as layer feed.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

The first reason listed in that link is "the guy at the feed store said we don't need to".



Maybe 50 years ago most birds became dinner before the heath detriments became issues too.

There is a reason that chick started exists. It isn't about money.....It costs the same as layer feed.

Not true. It costs MORE!! Like I said, I wouldn't worry too much.... but if it bothers you that much then just shell out some money for some chick starter and give me that layer bag.