When to start using Starter/Grower feed?

[chickendude]

I can't remember at what age I switched my chicks from starter to starter/grower. Currently I am using medicated starter 18% on my 6 week old chicks that a broody hatched for us. At what age do you change over to 20% grower?

 

[Ridgerunner]

At 6 weeks I switch to 16% grower.

 

[chickendude]

Quote:
I thought you went up in protein. from 18% starter to 20% grower until they start to lay?

 

[Olive Hill]

You can switch whenever you want. Ours are on a grower type ration (locally custom milled) from day one.

 

[chickendude]

Thanks.

 

[Ridgerunner]

No, you go down in protein. They don't need to grow too fast if they are going to be a laying hen. You want their internal organs to mature so they are at both the right maturity and size when they start to lay. If you can get it, 15% developer is recommended from thirteen weeks until they start to lay, but the 16% grower is also fine. Commercial laying operations try to slow down the start of egg laying until the hen has matured a bit. The hen is healthier, lays better eggs, and has a more productive laying season.

If they are going to be meat birds, it is different. Go ahead and throw a lot of protein at them. They won't be alive long enough to develop the long-term medical problems overfeeding can cause.

 

[chickendude]

Thank you Ridgerunner.

 

[Chris09]

This might help also..

You can find it sticked here.

Chris

 

[chickendude]

thank you chris09 I checked your link at the bottom of the page. Great info.

 

[Chris09]

Your Welcome,

Chris