What comes after crumbles?

[OhioClucker]

Trying to figure out what my hogs, er chicks, need to eat after crumbles. I have a large bag of the crumbles, but at this rate it will be gone in three weeks tops (HOW does something so SMALL eat so MUCH?!?!)
So what comes after crumbles? And is that the "permanent" feed besides the treats they can have? And when can the treats be introduced?

TIA!!

 

[kannna]

So we need a little more info before answering.

How old are they now? Do you mean chick crumbles or the grower food in crumble form?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Crumbles is a shape or texture. It doesn't describe the type of feed.

My guidance is pretty simple. Once you find a feed company brand you trust, follow their schedule or feed chart. Often this is printed on their bags or is always available on the company website. There are so many different schedules or feeding program charts. Following the recommendation of your chosen feed company makes it simple and the information reliable.

 

[OhioClucker]

So we need a little more info before answering.

How old are they now? Do you mean chick crumbles or the grower food in crumble form?

They are approx 5-8 weeks old. It's the chicken starter feed, medicated made by Country Road. Does that help? Sorry, new to chicks so I'm learning as I go!

 

[Fred's Hens]

You have lots of choices. Just keep them on what you are feeding now until maturity, usually around 17-19 weeks then switch to your company's layer formula. Country Road is a Rural King house brand, I take it.

Or, at 12 weeks, switch them to your company's Grower feed. Then, switch them to your company's layer formula at 18-19 weeks.

That is only one way to accomplish this. The choices and options are many, many, many.

 

[snowflake]

according to Vet. at MSU you should wean them off, mix 1/4 reg. crumbles with your chick starter, for a week, then 1/2 and 1/2 then 1/4 starter and 3/4 reg. feed each for a week, do not use layer feed till they are at point of lay (egg laying) and that depends on the breed as some lay sooner then others. you can continue to feed the chick starter or use flock raiser. But you do not want to use one with calcium, till they are ready to lay

 

[snowflake]

you can give treats at any time as long as you are giving them some grit, there is a list of treats on the forum some place.

You don't have meat birds do you?they eat a lot more, but yes chickens do eat a lot. Summer is great cause they can eat a lot of bugs and grass if they free range and that cuts down on the feed also

 

[CGChickMama]

I had a question about the layer feed. From my understanding my BRs will likely lay before my EEs. Is it fine for them both to eat the layer feed when I start the BRs or should I just wait for the EEs to start. They will be free ranging so I am not sure if that will matter.

according to Vet. at MSU you should wean them off, mix 1/4 reg. crumbles with your chick starter, for a week, then 1/2 and 1/2 then 1/4 starter and 3/4 reg. feed each for a week, do not use layer feed till they are at point of lay (egg laying) and that depends on the breed as some lay sooner then others. you can continue to feed the chick starter or use flock raiser. But you do not want to use one with calcium, till they are ready to lay

 

[OhioClucker]

Thanks for all the great info! But....what is grit? Like grits cereal? And can I also ask a, ahem, poo question. I have noticed at times there appears to be diarrhea poo, but I'm not sure who the offender is. Is this a cause for concern if it persists?

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

Thanks for all the great info! But....what is grit? Like grits cereal? And can I also ask a, ahem, poo question. I have noticed at times there appears to be diarrhea poo, but I'm not sure who the offender is. Is this a cause for concern if it persists?

Regarding the Poo question, here's a great link with lots of photos of various "poo" --> http://chat.allotment.org/index.php?topic=17568.0
Someone on this forum introducted me to this link, and it has helped me tons, as I am new to chicken-keeping also. Note - it's kinda gross, so don't look at them while eating