When do I switch feeds?

[kpgoldstar]

My chickens are 20 weeks and I still give them chick starter non medicated. I do give them oyster shells. We are switching to layer feed in a week or two. My four chickens all lay four eggs a day without layer feed.

You have eggs at 20 weeks? What breed? My 4 girls are RIR from the feed store and 14 weeks. I wasn't hoping to get eggs until March. Could I see eggs mid February?

 

[ChickensRDinos]

That's actually not a good idea. Chick starter helps birds from 0 to 8 weeks grow. At 8 or 9 weeks they should start eating grower food. Then at 18 to 20 weeks you should start with layer feed. If I were you I'd try to start feeding layer soon, especially if they are already laying. Good luck!

It can be a good idea.

Feeding them the non-medicated chick starter at any age is absolutely fine. There is nothing in that feed that would be bad for a roo or hen, young or old. Medicated would be a problem but the non-medicated is absolutely fine. I feed a non-medicated chick starter to my entire flock. People will do this for a number of different reasons based on their farming goals as it has a higher protein. I personally do it because I also feed fodder which has a lower protein so a high protein feed works great for me. I also have a mixed flock with different ages and breeds and not all lay frequently so a layer does not fit the needs of all birds. A starter > grower > layer can be great if that fits your flock but it is not the only option and is not great for all situations. I just think its good to know there are numerous right answers when it comes to feeding and to understand what each feed is. They aren't that different from one another so you do not have to stress about changing over at exactly a right time in most cases.

Medicated starter = babies ONLY and is a optional choice

Non-medicated starter = generally 20-22% protein. Generally feed to young birds but fine for all ages (layers will need an external calcium source)

Grower/All Flock/Flock raiser = generally 18-20% protein. Generally feed to teens or mixed flocks but fine for all ages (layers will need an external calcium source)

Layer = generally 16% protein plus calcium for layers. Laying birds only

Oyster shell = calcium source. If you are feeding layer feed it is not necessary as they are already getting extra calcium. If calcium is separate from feed birds will eat as needed. If it is mixed in they do not have this option which is way feeding layer to young birds for an extended period of time can lead to calcium overdoses. This is why people who have mixed flocks do oyster + grower feed. The young birds will not eat the oyster if it is kept separate

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Yes the feed does have enough calcium, however I haven't had a problem with oysters. Grit is just as good.

Grit and Oyster as too completely different things that serve different purposes. Grit is not for calcium. I just want to make sure ppl aren't confused about that.

If you are feeding layer and your birds are outside in a large-ish area of dirt you probably don't need to bother with either as the layer feed has calcium and the dirt will have grit. You can add either free choice if you feel your flock needs it.

 

[kpgoldstar]

That's actually not a good idea. Chick starter helps birds from 0 to 8 weeks grow. At 8 or 9 weeks they should start eating grower food. Then at 18 to 20 weeks you should start with layer feed. If I were you I'd try to start feeding layer soon, especially if they are already laying. Good luck!

I came across the same situation. I live in a very NON-agricultural area. My lone feed store has chick starter that says feed up to 8 weeks. But then there is not "grower" feed for in between. I asked everywhere on this forum what I should be feeding. I was told to keep on the starter until they start to lay. My girls are 14 weeks and they are still on the chick starter as that is all I can get other than layer. I do ferment so they are getting optimum nutrition but I have always wondered why there wasn't a grower in the brand my store carries.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I came across the same situation. I live in a very NON-agricultural area. My lone feed store has chick starter that says feed up to 8 weeks. But then there is not "grower" feed for in between. I asked everywhere on this forum what I should be feeding. I was told to keep on the starter until they start to lay. My girls are 14 weeks and they are still on the chick starter as that is all I can get other than layer. I do ferment so they are getting optimum nutrition but I have always wondered why there wasn't a grower in the brand my store carries.

Is it medicated or non-medicated starter?

 

[kpgoldstar]

Is it medicated or non-medicated starter?

Non-medicated

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Non-medicated

Good! No need to worry. They can stay on that as long as you want. Either add oyster or switch to layer when they start laying.

 

[kpgoldstar]

Good! No need to worry. They can stay on that as long as you want. Either add oyster or switch to layer when they start laying.

Thanks!

 

[WhiteLeghorn2]

I came across the same situation. I live in a very NON-agricultural area. My lone feed store has chick starter that says feed up to 8 weeks. But then there is not "grower" feed for in between. I asked everywhere on this forum what I should be feeding. I was told to keep on the starter until they start to lay. My girls are 14 weeks and they are still on the chick starter as that is all I can get other than layer. I do ferment so they are getting optimum nutrition but I have always wondered why there wasn't a grower in the brand my store carries.

If it's non medicated than I'd go ahead and use that until they start to lay.

 

[WhiteLeghorn2]

Grit and Oyster as too completely different things that serve different purposes. Grit is not for calcium. I just want to make sure ppl aren't confused about that.

If you are feeding layer and your birds are outside in a large-ish area of dirt you probably don't need to bother with either as the layer feed has calcium and the dirt will have grit. You can add either free choice if you feel your flock needs it.

I understand that. But grit has no added calcium. For a mixed flock of hens and roosters, I think grit is best, but for a flock of all hens, oyster shell is better. Oyster shell breaks up food in the gizzard but also gives calcium to help the laying hens.