When to stop feeding medicated starter?

[Nicole01]

I personally stop at 16 weeks, but I'm paranoid of coccidiosis. I switch right to layer.

 

[ChickiesInUtah]

It really was my plan to switch to a grower but thought I was crazy because I couldn't find it. I checked two IFAs in relatively rural towns in Utah then again this weekend at D&B Supply up in southern Idaho.

I feel guilty now for having settled for layer (even though I hadn't started it yet). Just my nature, carry on.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Ok, I'll go with unmedicated starter until we see an egg. Thanks Fred's Hens!

I was just so confused when after reading up on this I went to the IFA and asked for grower. They seemed confused as to why I was even asking for it. Maybe they all have unhappy chickens!

Some feed companies make a product called Grower, some do not. Our local feed mill does not. They only offer a single product, used as Starter/Grower. You've made a quality decision, believe me.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Keep your layer feed dry and it'll be just fine in another month or so, when your birds are 17 weeks old. The coast will be clear at that point.

 

[ChickiesInUtah]

It's shut up tight in an aluminum garbage bin, still in the bag. Thanks again for your help!

 

[SistaChick]

I am learning so much reading on this forum. I just started with my chicks, they are about 4 weeks old now. The lady I bought them from told me to keep them on Chick starter until they were about 5 months old then go to layer.

I am curious if someone would tell me how much I should be feeding my chicks a day. I have them in a chicken tractor, I put a light on them at night, they have a warm place to get into and they are doing great. I live in Tennessee and it is hot so I know they are warm enough. I have 4 black austrolorpes, 2 rhode island reds, 1 americano and 1 giant cochin. There are eight chicks!

Right now I am feeding them approx. a cup of chicken starter 3 times a day. Is that too much, not enough?

Thanks!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Chick feed until point of lay is a very common practice.

You should feed them all they can eat during the day. You don't need to leave feed out overnight. That's just an invitation to feed rodents.
Keep their feeder full during the day. At about 4 pm, see if they need a bit for the evening, and then, that's it.

As hot as the weather is this week, I doubt you need the light at all, but surely within another week, they will be just fine without it.

 

[SistaChick]

Thanks Fred's Hens!

 

[Barnycat]

It really was my plan to switch to a grower but thought I was crazy because I couldn't find it. I checked two IFAs in relatively rural towns in Utah then again this weekend at D&B Supply up in southern Idaho.

I feel guilty now for having settled for layer (even though I hadn't started it yet). Just my nature, carry on.

Look on Amazon for ‘grower chick feed’ if you can’t find it locally!