Suggestions for Chick Starter Food

[bwebster]

HI! Just ordered our chicks (Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks) and wondering what is a good chick starter, and what else I may need other than the basics.


Thanks!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Really any starter brand should be fine as long as it's not old or moldy. You'll need to decide if you want medicated or not (if they're vaccinated against coccidiosis do not use medicated), organic or not.

Other than feed I'd recommend having some vitamins/probiotics/electrolytes on hand, for the first few days, just to help them get over shipping stress. I like to give them grit early on as well but if they're strictly eating chick crumble it's not required.

 

[GC-Raptor]

HI! Just ordered our chicks (Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks) and wondering what is a good chick starter, and what else I may need other than the basics.


Thanks!!

Welcome @bwebster

I get my Chicks from independent farm and feed stores and TSC, so they aren't vaccinated against Coccidiosis.
So I use a Medicated Start and Grow feed.
I've used both Manna Pro, (5 lb bag) and Purina, 5 and 50 lbs available to me. 5 lbs goes quickly so I get the larger bag.
I feed Medicated for 10 weeks, then when bag is empty I switch to Non-Medicated.
I've fed my latest Chicks, after 10 weeks,
Nutrena Naturewise Non-Medicated Starter-Grower, Purina Non-Medicated Start & Grow, and Purina Flock Raiser crumble. I like both Brands and buy whichever is fresher or available when I'm at TSC.

I also add Poultry Nutri-Drench to the Chicks water for the first 10 days. .

All seven Chicks survived to lay. I have five left at 18 months old.

I also have two hens from my first Flock left. They'll be 4 years old on the 29th.

GC

 

[Ted_Harrell]

I use DuMor brand from tractor supply and have had good luck with it....

 

[bwebster]

I use DuMor brand from tractor supply and have had good luck with it....

That is what I ordered.