Transitioning from chick starter

[DuckingLost]

I have 6 barred rock chicken 3 or 4 cockrels and 2 or 3 pullets. They are 3 to 4 weeks old. I also have 6 that are almost 2 weeks old (diffrent kinds). Can I switch my older chicks to growth starter? And will it be okay since I have it, to use medicated? One more question...will my older chicks hurt my younger chicks if they are all in a chick corral together?

 

[cavemanrich]

You can use starter feed for the entire life of your chicken. The reason for the other formulations is, the more ideal nutritional needs as the chickens start to lay eggs. Laying chickens do need additional calcium. That can be provided with oyster shells free choice. The protein needs also vary at different stages, but not by very much. For optimum production it is best to give optimum style feed.
The medicated feed is to prevent coccidiosis. Eventually your chickens develop immunity and medicated feed no longer necessary. Use up what you have.
As to how your younger chics will interact with the older, is a trial and see. If there are problems then separate for best results.
WISHING YOU BEST...... and

 

[DuckingLost]

You can use starter feed for the entire life of your chicken. The reason for the other formulations is, the more ideal nutritional needs as the chickens start to lay eggs. Laying chickens do need additional calcium. That can be provided with oyster shells free choice. The protein needs also vary at different stages, but not by very much. For optimum production it is best to give optimum style feed.
The medicated feed is to prevent coccidiosis. Eventually your chickens develop immunity and medicated feed no longer necessary. Use up what you have.
As to how your younger chics will interact with the older, is a trial and see. If there are problems then separate for best results.
WISHING YOU BEST...... and

Thank you so much! I guess after church I will let these little ones loose. But kinda of nervous! These little ones seem so fragile!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Older chicks will bully younger, the need for ample space and possibly multiple feeders may apply. Keep an eye on things to decide if a change is needed.

Starter and starter/grower aren't really any different. Most often you'll see starter/grower is non medicated and virtually all starter medicated. A grower feed is non medicated and lower protein. I use non medicated starter/grower until the birds are large enough to take pellet form feed then move them to a 1 percent calcium "all flock" type feed in pellet form.

The need for medication is area specific, you may or may not need medicated feed. Typically when medicated is used it's to around 8 weeks of age then moved on to non medicated which saves you about a buck a bag.

 

[jthornton]

Make sure the little ones have a way to escape the older ones when needed.

JT

 

[GC-Raptor]

I like a Starter/Grower 18%. It's good from day old chicks up to 18 weeks and beyond. It comes in medicated and non medicated.
Some Grower/Finisher feeds are only 15% Protein. Too low for a layers type of chicken, IMO.
I like a 18/20% Protein feed from day old chicks right up to point of lay and throughout adulthood, for a Backyard flock. Because we like to spoil our girls with scratch and greens.
I feed a 18% layers pellet. If you can't find it, a Non medicated Starter Grower feed or an All Flock, Flock Raiser 18% to 20% Protein with a separate container of Oyster Shell will do the trick. .GC