What to feed 11 week old chicks?

[Svaness]

Hi everyone.
We've been feeding our chicks chick starter and are looking to switch them. I went to the farm today and asked for grower crumbs. When I got home my husband noticed they gave us meat builder pellets. We're wondering if this is acceptable or should I go exchange for something else???

 

[DobieLover]

Hi everyone.
We've been feeding our chicks chick starter and are looking to switch them. I went to the farm today and asked for grower crumbs. When I got home my husband noticed they gave us meat builder pellets. We're wondering if this is acceptable or should I go exchange for something else???

Hi. I can't see the numbers on the label.
However, if it isn't opened, I'd return it and get All Flock, Flock Raiser or just leave them on the chick crumbles if the protein is 18 - 20%. They can stay on that for life. When they get to be about 18 weeks old, put out a separate container with oyster shell in it for the extra calcium they will need for egg laying.

 

[Svaness]

Hi. I can't see the numbers on the label.
However, if it isn't opened, I'd return it and get All Flock, Flock Raiser or just leave them on the chick crumbles if the protein is 18 - 20%. They can stay on that for life. When they get to be about 18 weeks old, put out a separate container with oyster shell in it for the extra calcium they will need for egg laying.

Thanks for your reply, here's the numbers if it helps but if you say so I'll probably just bring it back.

Crude protein...min. 18%
Crude fat... min. 3%
Crude fiber... max 5%
Calcium... actual 0.90%
Phosphorus actual 0.70%
Sodium. Actual 0.16%

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks for your reply, here's the numbers if it helps but if you say so I'll probably just bring it back.

Crude protein...min. 18%
Crude fat... min. 3%
Crude fiber... max 5%
Calcium... actual 0.90%
Phosphorus actual 0.70%
Sodium. Actual 0.16%

That should be fine to feed.

 

[Chef JimmyJ]

Just a Newbie Guess...Looks like a 18% Grower for meat birds. If it's formulated to make a Cornish X grow big and strong in 8 to 10 weeks, cant see why it would not be fine for your girls to grow on. I'm sure others will have a more definite answer for you...JJ

 

[chickens really]

Definitely don't want meat builder feed. You want a Grower/finisher feed. Then once layers you provide oyster shell in a separate dish.

 

[Chef JimmyJ]

Definitely don't want meat builder feed. You want a Grower/finisher feed. Then once layers you provide oyster shell in a separate dish.

Just curious as to why not? What would be in a Meat Bird Grower that would be harmful or different from a Grower/Finisher? I can't recall " Finisher " referencing Layers. On the other hand, Meat birds are Finished to market weight. So it seems they would by extremely similar.
I'm blown away by the variety of Feeds. Thanks...JJ

 

[Chickassan]

Protein is a bit high for chicks that age. If possible i'd swap it for flock raiser, if not i'd mix it in with flock raiser.
High protein feeds have a place when your birds molt but until then go with the flock raiser.

 

[Folly's place]

Flock Raiser, which is what I feed, is 20% protein, and fine for everyone.
Different brands have different names for feeds in their product lines, so a grower feed might be the same as a meat bird feed, or a chick starter, or an all flock, depending on the manufacturer.
Buy something labeled as appropriate for your birds, with recent mill dates on each bag, available where you shop. It's going to vary depending on your location, there's no one answer for everyone.
Mary

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Different brands have different names for feeds in their product lines, so a grower feed might be the same as a meat bird feed, or a chick starter, or an all flock, depending on the manufacturer.
Buy something labeled as appropriate for your birds, with recent mill dates on each bag, available where you shop. It's going to vary depending on your location, there's no one answer for everyone.
Mary

That’s interesting, and very helpful for us new kids on the farm!