Straight from Starter Grower to Layer Feed?

[YellowRoseFarm]

Hi all,

I've seen variations on this question but not asked quite in this way, so my apologies if I'm duplicating efforts.

I've been feeding my chicks (4 weeks & 2 weeks) Grubbly Farms Little Pecks Grower feed. For those not familiar, Grubbly Farms offers 2 feeds: a starter grower and a layer feed. The starter grower is for ages 0-20 weeks and the layer feed is for weeks 20+.

While I really love Grubbly Farms and my chicks do too, I'm wondering whether they'll be missing something if I don't use a pullet grower between the 2 feeds, i.e., weeks 6 - 20. Is there a marked advantage to going through 3 different feeds, protein contents, etc.?

For reference, here are the ingredients in both the starter grower and the layer pellets. Thanks for your input!

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

I've always just feed starter feed until the first egg and then mix whatever starter I have left with the laying pellets until it's all gone so not to waste. If you feel you must then you can supplement the starter with regular grower feed that just has less protein than chick feed and less calcium than typical layer feed. Either way it's not going to be detrimental. Just don't feed the layer feed exclusive until they actually start to lay because it'll be to much calcium with no where to go. Although many of roosters have feasted on layer feed with no devastating effects.

 

[YellowRoseFarm]

I've always just feed starter feed until the first egg and then mix whatever starter I have left with the laying pellets until it's all gone so not to waste. If you feel you must then you can supplement the starter with regular grower feed that just has less protein than chick feed and less calcium than typical layer feed. Either way it's not going to be detrimental. Just don't feed the layer feed exclusive until they actually start to lay because it'll be to much calcium with no where to go. Although many of roosters have feasted on layer feed with no devastating effects.

Thanks so much! This is incredibly helpful.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

This is incredibly helpful.

I agree this is good advice. Many years ago it was a clear path: starter to grower to layer. But I've noticed in the past few years that grower is harder to find and starter now says starter/grower. So I've just been going with the advice above and cut out the "grower only," step. Easier.....

 

[rosemarythyme]

No grower is necessary, unless you really want to drop the protein to slow their growth. The starter feed you're using is fine until they're actively laying, or if you prefer, you can keep them on that feed past that with oyster shell on the side for calcium.

 

[Brooks_]

I use starter/grower their whole life. More accurately, Purina flock raiser (oyster shell and grit on the side-free choice). Most layer feeds are too low in protein for me and even layers don't always need the extra calcium in layer feed.