What to feed 3 month olds?

[14 chickens & counting]

I currently have my 3 month olds on a medicated starter feed. What do I go to next? My local feed store only carries the Meedicated starter then he goes to a laying pellet. He also carries the scratch feed. I have adults seperate that get the laying pellets(available all day) and some scratch 1 (sometimes 2) a day. Also wondering if I can start feeding the 3 month olds scratch?

Thanks for any help.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

If that is all the feed that is available to you, I would stay on the starter. I don't like the layers to eat medicated feed, but that doesn't sound like it is a problem for you.

When they start laying, switch them to layer feed and offer some oyster shell on the side as usual. If you are going to offer some scratch, make sure they have grit available if it has whole grains in it (ours does).

I give my chicks organic starter until 6 weeks then switch them to all homemixed feed (which has scratch grains in it) (see my BYC page if interested). So yes they can eat scratch. But you don't want to decrease their protein content too much.

scratch is 10% protein when I buy it (it should be listed on your bag)
layer feed 16% protein usually
starter feed 20% protein usually

so they need more protein when they are young.

Some people keep feeding UNmedicated starter and just offer oyster shell on the side forever for their layers.

 

[TN_BIRD]

I think most folks go from a starter to a grower to a layer.

I'd be reluctant to feed medicated feed to an egg laying hen. I'd also want more protein than the scratch provides for a growing bird.

Any chance you can get some grower feed? You can feed grower to a laying hen (although you'll probably want to increase the calcium with oyster shells or other stuff).

 

[Doctim]

I use a family-owned feed store. My feed guy will get whatever I ask him too... If he can. Sometimes I pay a premium but most of the time it he is in line with everyone else. I'd tell your feed guy/gal your wants and see what they say. I only buy about 2-3 bags of feed a week so it's not like I'm a big volume kind of client.

I move my layers to be to layer crumbles at about 16 weeks.

Tim

 

[14 chickens & counting]

Thanks everyone for the information! Such a wealth of knowledge here!

 

[MareeZoCool]

We mix our layer feed in with chicken scratch feed. Also, my chickens free-range 6-8 hours daily.

 

[CheekyChooks]

Is starter feed the same as chick crumb? My chicks (3-5 weeks) are all on chicken crumb. Do I need to move onto 'starter feed' or is this the same?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Starter = chick crumbles, yes.

Some brands have starter/grower combined. Other brands have starter and grower in separate bags.

I buy organic chick starter...there is no organic grower available and thus one must choose between organic starter and organic layer pellets.