Starter vs. Grower Feed

[mgarrett]

Quick question-

I know that you start chicks on starter feed and at around 18-20 weeks or so you can move them to layer feed; however, what exactly is the difference in starter and grower feed? I hear a lot of talk about both. My chicks are about 10 weeks old, and I'm about to run out of my bag of Chick Starter, so should I buy more Starter food for them or something different? The only thing I have really found is this DuMOR Poultry Grower/Finisher at Tractor Supply that says it's "designed for growing/finishing poultry from 10 to 18 weeks of age." Aside from that, all I can really find is normal chick starter and layer feed. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[mnferalkitty]

I would just put them on layer, that is what I do once the starter bag is gone I put them on layer. I have never used the grower feed. I have done this for years

 

[Fred's Hens]

Most feed companies print these "charts" for age appropriate feed, either on their websites or on the back of the feedbag itself.

Starter (either medicated or not) for chicks to 10-12 weeks.
Grower from 10 weeks to point of lay.

(Some companies only have a combined Starter-Grower, so this doesn't apply)

The Starter is usually high protein to enable feathering in. The Grower is usually slightly lower in protein to slow down growth a bit, which is a good thing. A bird rushed into point of lay before her body has "caught up" with proper skeleton and muscles, is not healthier. That's what the feed companies say.

Layer is nearly identical to Grower except for one big addition. Calcium. Layer feed is laced with calcium that only a laying bird needs for egg shell production. Calcium can create real problems if fed in high amounts to younger birds. It causes havoc with their renal system. There's nothing to be gained by feeding young birds Layer. It has no magic and no ability to "make a pullet lay". Hope that helps.

 

[TinTennessee]

I understand the reason behind layer feed having calcium, but what do the roos do with the extra calcium ? Since they don't lay eggs.

 

[Chris09]

I understand the reason behind layer feed having calcium, but what do the roos do with the extra calcium ? Since they don't lay eggs.

Roosters shouldn't have Layer and the high amounts of Ca. can be harmful to them.
I feed a good starter feed to everything, I just dilute the protein some by adding a little scratch. Laying pen get a bowl of Oyster Shells and Calcium Carbonate.

Chris

 

[TinTennessee]

I have 1 pen with 7 pullets & 1 cockrel. I have no plans to keep the cockrel separate from them. Can I just feed free choice of layer & something else without the extra calcium ? Or could I just give oyster shell free choice and feed all the same type feed ? Thanks , sorry to hijack the thread.