What to feed whole flock

[3 Chicks]

I have 2 three week old chicks. I have kept them and their mom separate from the flock. But they seem to be getting along with the bigger girls. My only hesitation in combining them all is how to feed them all. Right now the chicks are on starter and the big girls are on nutrena poultry feed. Can all the flock go on "poultry feed?"

Can I use the rest of the starter feed diluted into the poultry feed?

Thanks!

 

[Judy]

You can feed them either, or mix them. The only real "no no" is layer feed for young chicks. Starter is usually a bit higher protein which is a good thing for chicks. There is no reason not to feed the whole flock starter for a while.

 

[3 Chicks]

I thought there was some issue with the medication in the starter feed and eating the eggs. Is that true?

 

[donrae]

Are you feeding medicated starter? Some is, some isn't.
My understanding is, if the babies are out on ground that's had chickens on it, they're exposed to cocci already and the medicated feed doesn't do much. I don't use medicated feed myself, so I'll be the first to admit I don't know tons about it, though.

I feed all my birds an all-in-one feed and offer grit and oyster shell in the run. This was I can feed newly hatched chicks, layers and roosters and everyone can eat the same thing.

 

[3 Chicks]

Hmmmm...I guess I will try to research the answer on the nutrena website??