When do you switch chicks food?

[MamaBear228]

I have 3 silkie chickens ranging from 1 week of age to about 3 weeks of age. They are on 18% protein starter chick feed right now with chick grit mixed in for the older chick. Is this okay? When should i transition them to the next level and what is that? Sorry first time chicken owner here!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The instructions on feeding and when to switch are printed on the back of the bag. (every bag of feed produced today)
Provide the grit in a separate container.
In general, you can feed 18% protein till onset of lay.

 

[Celeste Cannon]

What you are feeding them now should be good until they are about 6-8 weeks old. Then you can start to feed them grower feed. A good grower that my chickens love is this one (for when your chicks are are old enough): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0068SP2SS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . I had the same problem as you with my chicks, and this article really helped: https://www.tractorsupply.com/know-how_pets-livestock_chicken_how-to-feed-chickens

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Each manufacturer has several lines of feed and they print charts on the back of the bag to make it simple to know when to switch feeds based on their proprietary formulas. Some have separate starter, grower, finisher, layer rations. Some have a starter/grower feed intended to be fed from hatch to point of lay. That's why I said to read the bag. Without knowing the brand and line of feed it is impossible to know what the formula is.
Hence, read the bag.

 

[MamaBear228]

Wow i never even noticed the chart on the back of the bag! Its mannapro chick medicated starter feed.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

And it has feeding instructions along with when to switch, correct?
You're not alone.
It amazes me how many people don't read the bag.
Part of every one of my beginner and advance chicken classes includes giving every student a feed bag and acquainting them with the feeding instructions, the guaranteed analysis, the ingredients and finding the mill date.
Checking the protein and calcium percentages as well as the mill date should happen before buying a bag of feed.

 

[cwelte]

I have 6 hens that are about 9 weeks old. I've got about a gallon or so of their starter crumble left and am about to switch them over to the "grower" formula. My plan was to just put the pellets on top of the crumble in their feeder so as they finish one, it'll transition to the other.

Is there a problem with that kind of transition or should I take the pellet bag back and see if I can get a crumble mix?

 

[GC-Raptor]

How big are the pellets? If they're mini pellets, it should be fine.
I used a Start & Grow 18% crumble. Directions say; feed from hatch to 18 weeks.
I didn't change to pellets till 16 weeks of age. I mixed the pellets with crumble 50/50 for 2 weeks, then I just added pellets to the feeder as needed.
I also mixed the pellets with scratch grains 50/50 and tossed on the ground, to get them used to pellets. Some pullets are fussy about feed and don't like change.
Follow directions on your bag. GC

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I have 6 hens that are about 9 weeks old. I've got about a gallon or so of their starter crumble left and am about to switch them over to the "grower" formula. My plan was to just put the pellets on top of the crumble in their feeder so as they finish one, it'll transition to the other.

Is there a problem with that kind of transition or should I take the pellet bag back and see if I can get a crumble mix?

That will probably be fine. If possible, follow the feeding directions on the chart on the back of the bag.