What to feed my chicks now?

[mamato6blessings]

I have 4 silkie chicks that are 12 weeks old. Do I continue the medicated chick feed or move on to something else. I have no idea if I have hens or roos (how do I figure that out?) Thanks. ~Tammy

 

[newchicksnducks]

I used my Purina Start and Gro until they were about 15 weeks old, then put them on Layena. I believe you may use Flock Raiser type of food for roos and hens at that time. You don't want anything with high calcium while their bones are still growing...too much is as bad as not enough

 

[HEChicken]

I used chick starter to about 8 weeks and flock raiser from then on, but I believe it is ok to continue chick starter until they're laying.

 

[Ttheresaa]

the combs on the top of the chickens head if it is farther back on the head it is a rooster if the comb is shorter than you have a hen

 

[gryeyes]

It's okay to finish out a bag of chick starter feed past the 8 recommended weeks. Then you use a flock raiser type of feed until the chickens are six months old and/or start to lay eggs. Then you give them layer feed. OR flock raiser, AND provide oyster shell separately.

Some feed stores don't stock "flock raiser," so feeding chick starter until the chicks are six months old, and then changing to layer feed is also okay.

 

[mamato6blessings]

Thanks. I bought them some flock raiser today!

 

[Mrs.H]

I asked a similiar question today. Heres the link to read some of the answers I got (hopefully the link works, new to this website)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=314867

 

[brendapa]

Gamebird starter/finisher has the highest protein content. Silkies need the higher protein to grow those beautiful feathers.
It's a little more expensive but worth it.
You can read the protein content right on the bags of feed.