Switching their feed

[pearlygirly]

Hi there! My chicks will be 7-8 weeks old this upcoming weekend. I currently am feeding them Purina Start and Grow Medicated Crumbles Chick Feed and my friend who hatched the chicks told me to start them on a layer feed this upcoming weekend. Wondering if that is correct or if I should stick with the starter feed until they get a bit older. Thank you!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to explore and hang out. Layer feed is great as they start laying.

 

[saysfaa]

It is too early for layer feed. The extra calcium is harmful unless they are laying eggs or are close to laying. They will do better on starter feed for at least several more weks.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Stick with starter or (switch to grower or all flock if that's your preference) until they reach point of lay. They cannot process the extra calcium in layer feed otherwise, and most layer is lower in protein as well, which may slow down their rate of growth.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
If your chicks have been at their coop and on your ground for a couple of weeks, it's safe to transition them to an unmedicated feed, because the amprolium should no longer be needed to manage whatever coccidia exposure they have experienced.
Layer feed, definitely not. It's designed for actively laying hens only, nobody else.
Depending on what's fresh by mill dates on each bag of feed, an unmedicated starter, or an all flock feed would be best. The higher protein and lower calcium is what the need, and can be fed to birds at all life stages forever, with separate dishes of oyster shell and grit also offered.
Mary

 

[pearlygirly]

Welcome!
If your chicks have been at their coop and on your ground for a couple of weeks, it's safe to transition them to an unmedicated feed, because the amprolium should no longer be needed to manage whatever coccidia exposure they have experienced.
Layer feed, definitely not. It's designed for actively laying hens only, nobody else.
Depending on what's fresh by mill dates on each bag of feed, an unmedicated starter, or an all flock feed would be best. The higher protein and lower calcium is what the need, and can be fed to birds at all life stages forever, with separate dishes of oyster shell and grit also offered.
Mary

Thank you for the response! So I could switch them to an all flock feed and have separate dishes of oyster shell and grit, too?

 

[pearlygirly]

Stick with starter or (switch to grower or all flock if that's your preference) until they reach point of lay. They cannot process the extra calcium in layer feed otherwise, and most layer is lower in protein as well, which may slow down their rate of growth.

Thank you! Do I need to offer oyster shells/grit now, too?

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, have separate dishes, one oyster shell, one grit. They both come in big bags that will last forever if dry.
Mary

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you! Do I need to offer oyster shells/grit now, too?

Grit yes, I always have age appropriate grit available.

Oyster shell is not needed until they get closer to laying. Because I have a mixed age flock I always have some sitting out, but chicks shouldn't be eating it other than to sample out of curiosity.