what age to switch feed

[MNmommy]

at what age can I switch from the chick starter to a lower protein one? Mine are 10 and 11 weeks now and still are on the chick starter.


Thanks

 

[Hillbilly Rooster]

It should say on the bag of feed. What are you feeding your chicks?

 

[MNmommy]

it is the dumor stuff from TSC and I threw the bag and the feed is in an airtight container. I think it was the 24% protein?

 

[Hillbilly Rooster]

I am using Dumor Right now. Some say that the chick starter 24% can hurt the baby chicks kidney's.

0-10 weeks 20% starter/grower

11-18 weeks 15% Grower/finisher

Then you go to the layer feed of 16%

Take a look at a thread about feed. It is about the feed that everyone is buying.

I have used Dumors for a year and have had no problems but I am thinking of switching. I am not sure though.

 

[ThePamperedPullet]

We switch ours from Starter to Layer at 8 weeks because that is when they go out into the big free range pen.

 

[Hillbilly Rooster]

That is fine to if you want. I put mine in a huge chicken tractor and move them around my pen so the older girls get ready aqainted with then and they are on a mix of the feed until I run out of my Finish/Grower.

 

[WalkingWolf]

24% Dumar is for game birds like quail and pheasant and turkeys. Gamefowl also need a slightly higher protein. I keep mine on starter for 16 weeks or until they start laying eggs. Once they start free ranging mine do not eat as much feed. I give them small amounts of scratch when they are free ranging also. I also treat gamefowl chicks to scrambled duck eggs once a week for a protein boost.