When should I change from chick starter

[kidd42]

We have 16, 7 week olds varies breeds. When do we take them off chick starter? We are feeding them a start to finish. They have eaten all sorts of "treats" after they figured out that I wasn't trying to poison them. They have had crickets (they love!), grass, spinich, cut up strawberries, and oiler sunflower seeds. we are also giving them chick grit. Also what is the next food I feed them. I stopped at the feed store yesterday and was told to keep them on start to finish until 5 - 6 months, then go to a layer feed. friends called the same local feed store today and were told only feed them chick food till 6 weeks. Any and all advice would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance, all have been very helpful with comments in the past. Kevin

 

[chickencoop31320]

I had this same question a few weeks back. From what I understand, you don't switch the feed until they start to lay eggs. A friend of mine said that if you switch their feed too early it's hard on their organs. I have 5 month old silkies and they are still on chick feed.
I hope this helps

edited to add:

Just because someone works at a feed store.... it doesn't mean they know about chickens ! LOL

 

[kidd42]

Thank you! This is what the feed manager told me yesterday. Friends could have talked to a "kid" working there.

 

[DouglasPeeps]

Your chicks should be feed starter/grower or starter until the point of lay (laying eggs). Then go ahead and change them over to layer pellets or layer crumbles. I prefer the pellets.

Remember that a lot of the other "treats" you give them are just that "treats". Think of treats like candy. The primary food source needs to be the starter feed.

Hope this helps! Enjoy your chicks!

 

[desertgirl]

I was wondering this too. Another question-mine are only days old, so they have planty of food, but how do I gauge how much to feed them as they get older? They will eat everything you give them...can you over feed? Also, feed once a day, or break it up into bkfst,luch,dinner?

 

[FLOWERPOT]

Really it is only the cornish x meat birds that overeat to the point you should take their food away. The others will not
I keep the food and water bowls full for them for whenever they feel like eating.

 

[desertgirl]

Good to know.

( Love your avatar, by the way!)

 

[fowlgirl]

I have a handful of layers and 40 broilers all raising together at bout 4 weeks old,almost fully feathered. I have been feeding them all chick starter so far.Today,the chicken raising store owner told me its ok to feed all of them basic layer. The broilers wont get so fat to the point needing wheelchairs to get around and yet good for the young layers. So everyone is happy. I dont want mt meaties that fat again like last year, very greasy birds. I dont know if its the right thing to do though,what you think?

 

[jenjscott]

4 weeks old is much too young to start on layer, their kidneys can't handle the calcium.