When is safe to change chicken feed and to what?

Unmedicated Grower/finisher until they lay their first egg.

 

You should be able to transition to a non-medicated grower, or an all-flock feed. I use Flock Raiser for everyone, with oyster shell on the side for the actively laying hens. It's easiest for my flock, no transition necessary. Your birds could change to a layer feed when they are all in lay, but wait until then. Mary

 

Chick feed (unmedicated) until they lay an egg.

 

May I ask what to look for in a chick feed? And why wait for the first egg? It looks like this batch will mature in winter (October?), so do I continue through the low light days with the chick feed until spring has sprung?

Is this the same for the meat birds?

The excitement builds...

 

It's mainly the calcium levels.

 

Calcium is no good for chicks.

 

Kiki - I see you are in Houston. I'm on the east side. May I ask where your preferred place to get feed is? I've got a couple feed stores, Tractor Supply and then amazon is always available, for a price. I'm wading through to see if one brand is better. Sounds like they are all balanced. Price shopping to come.

Thank you for the response - calcium makes sense. Too much is not good for puppies either and causes bone issues. That means to stay on the chick feed until spring. I've got a mixed flock and the meat birds may mean switching to a high protein.

Cheers

 

I start feeding my chicks all flock layer feed(blue seal)once they move to the garage.Been doing it for 3 years, never had a problem

 

I purchase feed at a local mom n pop feed store on the south side of town, just off of the Beltway.
I use a brand that is produced right here in Texas just outside of Houston.
http://www.m-ginc.com

I ferment the feed too!