what to feed?????????

[Newchickenmom&kids]

We are brand new to this and would appreciate any advice...
We have 25 chicks. 10 are approx. 6 wks old. The other 15 are a week or two younger. They have almost ate a 50lb bag of starter/ grower feed. I was wondering if I should get another 50lb bag or could we now just begin the layer feed? I also have some scratch for treats.

 

[chickens^^]

what brand do you use? Dumor?

 

[Newchickenmom&kids]

The layer food is Nutrena Naturewise Layer Complete.....the starter/grower is a Rural King brand.

 

[AccidentalFarm]

i believe the general practice is to continue feeding starter until the hens begin to lay, then switch to layer feed, but i'm not positive...

are you keeping the birds for laying, or are they meat birds? meat birds may require a different feed at an earlier age.

 

[Rooster01]

I feed starter for 1 month then I switch to layer. Some say Layer hurts their liver when their young but I've never had any problems.

 

[Newchickenmom&kids]

I'm only keeping them for laying.

 

[allen wranch]

Keep them on starter/grower until about 20 weeks, then switch to layer feed. There is too much calcium in the layer food for chicks.

 

[MoonGoddess]

I think you should feed them the starter food until they lay the first egg and then switch to layer food.

 

[chickens^^]

When they are 18 weeks of agae start feeding them layer!! it is on the back of the bag of dumor chicken feed. When they are 18-20 weeks of age they will start to lay eggs. You need to start the layer feed when thay are 18 week to get them started for all those eggs!

 

[Newchickenmom&kids]

OK! Thanks for all your help!