What to feed new chicks?

[SassyKat6181]

I have chicks coming in on the 17th. Six Barred Rock and 6 Black Sexlink - all female. I know that I need to get medicated chick starter, but how long do they need this? Do I have to switch to grower feed at some point or can I offer them the starter and go straight to layer? Also, the feed store is about 45 minutes away, so I'd like to buy enough of what I need for starter. I can get a 50lb bag for $13, how long will this last for 12 chicks. Also, do I need to give them oyster shells too? Thanks, Katrina

 

[mgw]

We only fed ours medicated fo 2 weeks so I dont think you will need 50#s of it more like 25#s would work. Also you wont need to give oyster shell until they are getting close to laying age around 4.5 / 5 months old. You should give them grit when you start to give them treats just mix with food or in a feeder or something like that. Luck to ya.

 

[Mahonri]

A 25lb back of medicated starter should be sufficient, then I use regular chick starter to week 7 or 8 and then grower until week 20.... then layer.

 

[NonnasBabies]

Ditto what everybody said!!

Missi

 

[BayouPoules]

What they said!

 

[lwwh67]

I thought that you need to give the medicated feed until they start into layer feeda at 4-5 months. Should I give them unmedicated feed after 6 weeks?? They are eating Layena starter/grower medicated feed now.
My chicks are only 2 weeks old. Please advise. Thank you.

 

[Chris09]

Starter --
A balanced feed meant as the sole ration for chicks from hatching to twelve weeks of age.
At 12 weeks of age the birds can be changed to Grower or Developer. Starter can be Medicated or Non-Medicated when Medicated it is with either Amprolium or Lasalocid. Starter is available in Mash, Crumble or Pellet form

Stater/ Grower --
A balanced feed meant as the sole ration for chicks from hatching to chickens begin to lay, this feed can be Medicated or Non-Medicated. If medicated it will be with either Amprolium or Lasalocid. Starter/ Grower is available mostly in Crumble or Pellet form.

Grower --
Feed as the sole ration to chicks 12 weeks of age as a finisher. Grower feed is meant to feed until the chickens begin to lay, then bird can be switched to a complete Laying. Most Grower feed is Non-Medicated but some are Medicated with Bacitracin. Grower is mostly available in available in Crumble or Pellet form.

Finisher -- See above for Grower

Layer --
Feed as the sole diet to laying hens maximum production of eggs. Do not feed Layer feed to poultry, which are not in production because of the high calcium levels in the diet. This is particularly true of young growing birds. Layer is available in Mash, Crumble or Pellet form.

Layer/ Breeder --
Feed as the sole diet to laying hens and breeders for maximum production and for improved hatchability. Do not feed Layer feed to poultry, which are not in production because of the high calcium levels in the diet. This is particularly true of young growing birds. Layer/ Breeder is available in Pellet form.

Scratch Grain/ Corn (Maze) --
Is mostly used as a treat and should for the most part be feed separate from there sole feed (example - there Layer feed). Scratch should not exceed 40% of there diet when feeding a high protein feed. (Sole feed 20% protein or better) You may start feeding Scratch Grain at around 12 weeks of age.

Oyster Shells --
A Calcium supplement used to increase intake of laying fowl. Oyster Shells should not be offered to Non-Laying Fowl (Chicks, Growers, Non-Laying Hens and Roosters).


* Note --
Amprolium - which goes by the trade names Corid and Amprovine, Amprolium, Amprol, Anticoccid and is a thiamine analog, competitively inhibits the active transport of thiamine (B1). Amprolium is used in the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis.

Lasalocid - goes by the trade name Bovatec. Bovatec (lasalocid) is a coccidiocide that kills coccidia. It is an ionophore that moves potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium into the cell causing the cell to burst. Bovatec works primarily on a single developmental stage of coccidia, providing a more narrow range of action than Deccox.

Bacitracin - Bacitracin can also go by the names Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate and BMD. Bacitracin in Broiler And Replacement Chickens is an aid in prevention and control of necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens susceptible to bacitracin methylene disalicylate.

Chris

 

[mikecnorthwest]

We feed medicated chick starter until laying age and then switch to layer pellets. Totally a personal choice whether or not to feed medicated or not, and for how long.