When to start grower

[speckledhen]

Glad to help, but heck, I just learned like everyone else, from books, experience and BYC. I also read the grower information, but I never could find it anywhere. In a way, it does simplify things to feed one feed till they start laying, then feed another.
Now, I've begun not even feeding layer pellets at all when I have growing youngsters in the flock. I use an all purpose type feed, like FlockRaiser by Purina, or Rooster Booster pellets by Southern States, with very little calcium in it, and depend on the hens to eat oyster shell and crushed eggshells. When the younger ones get up to laying age, I start adding some layer feed back in with the other feed. Right now I have a group of 11-wk old chicks that are being incorporated into the main flock and there is no layer feed in there now. It's only for a few weeks, then back to regular feed when the newbies are around 18 weeks old or so.

 

[claraserena]

This is a very helpful thread! I have a hen with five 3+ week old chicks--I give them all starter but also give some layer feed as the hen is not crazy about the starter.

I have another group of six 4+ week old Buff Orphington pullets that I am raising with a 4+ week old rescued mallard duck. The duck has been eating the starter (non-medicated)--does the the duck need anything other than starter now? And what other thingsmight the duck like (I give it lettuce and they are all on grass)

 

[joanm]

Cynthia,

Here is what Chickens In Your Backyard A Beginner's Guide says about chick feed. (now I'm confused!)

It may discontinued (medicated chick feed) with relative safety after about eight weeks, as by then the chicks are building up a natural immunity. Continued use of the medicated feed after 12 weeks is definitely not advisable, since it may interfere with the development of this natural immunity. The chicks should, however, be kept on the nonmedicated high-protein feed from then until they have attained full size if they are to grow rapidly and stay healthy.

I am using Purina Medicated Start & Grow and my chicks are now 8 weeks old. The bag says to feed them this until they reach 18 weeks! Do I switch?