Two 10 1/2 week old chicks, can I feed them layer feed?

[chick peeps]

I have two 10 1/2 week old Buff Orpington Chicks and I am almost out of chick starter, can I go ahead and feed them some layer feed? I just don't want to buy a 50lb bag of chick grower if they aren't going to eat it all.

 

[chicmom]

Hello there! It's a bit early to switch them over to layer feed. Depending on the breed, they may not begin laying for around 20 weeks, and you don't want to give a growing pullet too much calcium that early.

Why not switch to a grower/finisher feed for your next bag. That would be fine for both younger and newly laying hens. Or, get a smaller bag of the grower feed.

 

[cafarmgirl]

I would definitely not feed layer at that age. Some brands make a 25 lb bag of starter, I think Tractor Supply sells even smaller bags for those with only a few chicks.