When to switch to different feeds - is this correct?

[_SouthAfrican_]

I have my first flock of 6 chicks - 2 BO's, 2 EE's, and 2 BR's. They're 3 weeks old now. Do I switch them to grower feed at 6 weeks, and then layer at 14 weeks?

I've tried reading through posts but I'm not getting the lingo and the zillion different options

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Everyone has been telling me to keep them on chick start and grow (medicated or not depending on what you choose) until they are 18 weeks old. Then switch to layer feed

 

[_SouthAfrican_]

Oh! That's interesting. So keep them on the starter and skip the grower all together? Or mix the two and give them that till 18weeks?

 

[arlee453]

Personally I put them on chick starter until they are around 18 weeks (i use the unmedicated) and/or until they get around 13-14 weeks and get booted out of the grow out pen into the larger run.

I haven't noticed any ill effects for the ones that get layer pellets a bit earlier...

 

[pkeeler]

I wouldn't get hung up on the time as some exact science. If at 8 weeks, you still have chick starter that you haven't used up, keep using it. If you are at 6 weeks and need to buy a new bag of something, buy starter. Anytime after 8 weeks, when the chick starter is running out, start adding in grower. Don't use layer until they are 18+ weeks. Too much calcium.

If you can't find grower, then stay with starter. You can add oats up to 50%.

Out of my two local suppliers, one doesn't have grower at all. The other had 15% grower, but he had labeled it "turkey grower." What you are looking for in a grower is 14-16% protein and no added calcium (layer feed will be 3+% calcium).

 

[cmom]

I use starter/grower feed until they lay the first egg then I switch to layer feed.

 

[_SouthAfrican_]

What is starter/grower feed? I always thought that starter feed and grower feed are two different things, but in your post it sounds like one thing?

 

[balticbabe]

Quote:
Different brands have different formulas. Locally I can buy Purina Start & Grow and their layer formula. I can also get Nutrena which has a Start & Grow, Grower/Finisher, a general poultry feed and a layer formula. The stores also sell other brands which I haven't tried.

Purina says to feed Layena at 18 weeks. Nutrena says to switch to Layer at 22 weeks.

Nutrena says you must provide oyster shells with their layer, Purina doesn't. It's best to read the bag before you buy. Then make the switch based on what the manufacturer of you feed suggests. The different brands vary in protein levels hence the different recommendations on when to switch.

 

[_SouthAfrican_]

Thanks for that info. I haven't even looked at the bag I got because the lady where I got the chicks said "Here, this is what you need" and I took it

So I'm off to read the bag!