When do I switch from medicated starter to reg chicken feed?

[keljonma]

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You could mix the rest of bag #2 with the layer at about 14-16 weeks without any problems.

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Isn't amazing how such tiny things can waste sooooo much food?!

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Omelettes

 

[MissBHaven]

I guess I could try to save up 15 or 20 and throw together an omlet...hhaha I won't hesitate eating them due to medicated feed, and mixing the #2 bag is definately a great idea, I probably will do that...thanks...

 

[Southernbelle]

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I had 30 bantams and it took them about 6 weeks to go through their first bag of feed and I thought the next bag would last as long, but whoa was I wrong! They went through a growth spurt or something and started going through feed like crazy. At one point they were eating a 50# bag a week!! They've levelled off now, a 50# bag lasts about 2 weeks for all 30.

I just wanted to warn you!

 

[dftkarin]

My chicks have been eating medicated chick starter and I just bought a 20 lb bag of Dumor starter/grower and when I got home I realized it is unmedicated. Since I have a small new flock (only 4 chickens, they are 5 weeks old), do you think its okay to switch to unmedicated feed? Some books said it was okay to start small flocks on unmedicated feed from the very start (but I love my chicks at this point and I don't want to risk any illnesses)

 

[keljonma]

You really should feed the medicated for at least 8 weeks.

 

[MissBHaven]

I have had lots of responses on the feed, I am going to start mixing mine, which are also 5 weeks old. They are all fat & happy so I dont anticipate any trouble. Not sure if I'd dare to go straight to unmedicated yet, but some people do with not trouble...I guess its all up to you and gaining your own preferences through your own experiences, because for everyone that says its o.k., there seems to be someone that says NO....

 

[MissBHaven]

Its really not a big expense to stay medicated for 8 weeks, the majority of responses have said 8 to 20 weeks with medicated food, so I do plan on mixing the next bag I get, but will not take away the medicated completely till the 20 weeks is over. Why take a chance over what $2-3 for the month.....silly....

 

[gritsar]

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This is what I was talking about. The first ones generally aren't suitable for eating. I should mention that I learned this from my SO's family, not my own chickens since they aren't laying yet. This is just how his family handled it for generations, so we will too.

 

[MissBHaven]

An update on my chicks...they go to bed all by themselves! I am so proud...

 

[gritsar]

They are beautiful MissB.