What age to switch feed?

[dusica731]

At what age should I switch my flock from starter/ grower to grower/ finisher ( is that what it is?) I have a mixed flock RIR- PR-BB ect... I plan on giving my hens oyster shells on the side once they reach 18 weeks or when the lay their first egg. Also, is this okay for my BB's and BC's which mature slower? Any and all advice would be extremely helpful

 

[countrygirl345]

You can skip the grower/finisher, thats what we did. When they are full grown and look like they should start laying soon, you can give them layer feed. Oyster shell is a good idea at that age too.

 

[dusica731]

You can skip the grower/finisher, thats what we did. When they are full grown and look like they should start laying soon, you can give them layer feed. Oyster shell is a good idea at that age too.

I have 4+ Roos and I've read that the xtra calcium isn't heathy for them, which is why I was going to give my hens the oyster shells on the side ...

 

[countrygirl345]

I have 4+ Roos and I've read that the xtra calcium isn't heathy for them, which is why I was going to give my hens the oyster shells on the side ...

yes, I forgot to add, no oyster shell for roosters. Good catch!

 

[dusica731]

My local feed store (TSC) has grower/ finisher... Is that what I switch them too?

 

[countrygirl345]

Its up to you... It cant hurt them, and if you are unsure of when to switch, check the back of a bag a dumor chicken feed, they have a good chart about when you should feed them what. Dumor is at TSC, maybe you use that?

 

[dusica731]

Its up to you... It cant hurt them, and if you are unsure of when to switch, check the back of a bag a dumor chicken feed, they have a good chart about when you should feed them what. Dumor is at TSC, maybe you use that?

Yes ma'am! Thank u for all ur help sweety!

 

[countrygirl345]

No problem, good luck to you!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

My local feed store (TSC) has grower/ finisher... Is that what I switch them too?

Grower/Finisher is usually for meat birds. They're grown, at age of butcher but your feeding them to the weekend when you've the time kind of thing. It's only 15% protein which is fine for adult birds but I think too little protein for growing birds.

TSC and most feed stores carry non medicated Starter/Grower which will be 18-20% protein. As long as it's non medicated they can have that for the rest of their lives if you supply calcium via oyster shell on the side for the layers. Or when of adult size (point of lay) you can switch to the Grower/Finisher with calcium on the side or just switch to layer pellets if you don't have roosters as it is blended with 3% calcium already and no need for addition.



I should add that I prefer the pellets as soon as the chicks are old enough to feed on them. There is so much less waste when feeding pellets. I don't know if the chicken grower finisher comes in pellet form but from Agway I get Turkey/Game bird Finisher that is 16% protein and in pellet form. That way I still supply oyster shell on the side and entire flock (younger birds-14 weeks and roosters and layers) are on same feed. From spring chicks till mid summer my entire flock is on starter/grower as it's just easier for me to have only one feed.

 

[dusica731]

Grower/Finisher is usually for meat birds. They're grown, at age of butcher but your feeding them to the weekend when you've the time kind of thing. It's only 15% protein which is fine for adult birds but I think too little protein for growing birds.

TSC and most feed stores carry non medicated Starter/Grower which will be 18-20% protein. As long as it's non medicated they can have that for the rest of their lives if you supply calcium via oyster shell on the side for the layers. Or when of adult size (point of lay) you can switch to the Grower/Finisher with calcium on the side or just switch to layer pellets if you don't have roosters as it is blended with 3% calcium already and no need for addition.

So staying with starter/ grower feed for my flock of all ages and gender ( 8 weeks - day old) with oyster shells on the side once 18 weeks or first eggs comes is probably the smartest way to go?