Transitioning from starter feed

[Kiki]

Okay, thank you very much. Do you have a brand recommendation I can see if my feed store has it in stock.



Ok - thank you!

The best brand is what your local feed store carries...and sells regularly because that means they keep fresh feed in stock.

 

[Brooks_]

Do you have a brand recommendation I can see if my feed store has it in stock.

I use Purina flock raiser. I buy it at tsc.

 

[curlyp]

No you don't really need higher protein.
My hens are 6 years old and still laying eggs. They eat 16% laying crumbled feed.


Earlier you mentioned this:

The LAYER word isn't usually listed on a bag of CHICK feed.
The word layer usual means the feed has enough calcium in it for egg laying ages birds.

Thank you.

Yes, I was using the starter medicated feed. All birds are not laying eggs. Just one or two of my 12. Should I start the transition or wait?

The best brand is what your local feed store carries...and sells regularly because that means they keep fresh feed in stock.

Makes complete sense.

I use Purina flock raiser. I buy it at tsc.

Okay, thank you!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Is it okay to eat the eggs from chick feed? I thought they needed to more to adult feed in order to get the nutrients for the eggs.

As it turns out, apart from increased calcium, CHICKs need higher nutritional levels than Laying CHICKENS. Growing as (relatively) quickly as they do to near adult size is very hard on a body - which is why feed deficiencies in the very young tend to have life-long effects.

Also, pellet has less surface area relative to volume - goes stale more slowly. Like any other grain-based product. Think about how long your popcorn kernels stay fresh in the jar compared to your corn flakes. At one end of the scale is whole grain feeds (who have other problems, but tend to be the most time tolerant) at the other end of the scale is crumble. Pellet is much closer to crumble and was developed mostly as a way to control waste, rather than to extend shelf life.

 

[Brooks_]

The best brand is what your local feed store carries...and sells regularly because that means they keep fresh feed in stock.

That is a good point. No feed will be any good if it's always old.

 

[Kiki]

Thank you.

Yes, I was using the starter medicated feed. All birds are not laying eggs. Just one or two of my 12. Should I start the transition or wait?




Makes complete sense.


Okay, thank you!

If all birds are the same age or close to same age switch them to layer type pelleted or crumble now. It's actually better to switch them a few weeks before they start laying eggs but since most people don't know exactly when to expect eggs they wait until they see an egg.
Since you are already seeing eggs switch them.

 

[curlyp]

If all birds are the same age or close to same age switch them to layer type pelleted or crumble now. It's actually better to switch them a few weeks before they start laying eggs but since most people don't know exactly when to expect eggs they wait until they see an egg.
Since you are already seeing eggs switch them.

Thank you. I will go to the feed store today. I have about half a bag left of starter medicated crumble. Should I mix the pellets and starter feed until it’s all gone?

 

[curlyp]

Yes they are all the same age (hatched same day). Couple days over 16 weeks old now.

 

[Brooks_]

Yes, I was using the starter medicated feed. All birds are not laying eggs. Just one or two of my 12. Should I start the transition or wait?

All the same breed? Or breeds with similar expected point of lay? Yes, to mixing as to not waste feed.

 

[curlyp]

All the same breed? Or breeds with similar expected point of lay? Yes, to mixing as to not waste feed.

Mixed breed. I don’t know what they are. I am going to post a breed identification thread once I’m done with the coop to show better close ups.