Wrong feed??

[Sarah2020]

Well, it appears I've messed up again! I'm now reading all of these chick-raising timelines that say at 5 weeks start your chicks on "starter feed." Unfortunately, they've been on starter feed since I got them... I thought that's what starter feed was. How will this affect them?

 

[NatJ]

Well, it appears I've messed up again! I'm now reading all of these chick-raising timelines that say at 5 weeks start your chicks on "starter feed." Unfortunately, they've been on starter feed since I got them... I thought that's what starter feed was. How will this affect them?

Do you have a link to one of those timelines?

I've certainly used "chick starter" for baby chicks, from the day they hatch or arrive in the mail until they are old enough to lay eggs. In fact, I've used it for adult chickens too (I just had to offer oyster shell for calcium when they were old enough to lay eggs.) They were all fine.

And the chick starter I used said, right on the bag, "feed from hatch until...."

 

[Mellowmalt]

the guidelines state chick starter feed up to 6 weeks and 8 weeks for smaller chicks like bantams.
Then you switch them to a grower feed till they start laying.
Around 6 months old when they lay their first egg you switch to a layer feed.

So I think your feed is spot on for the age they are. (if they are younger than 6 weeks)

 

[NatJ]

the guidelines

Depends on which guidelines.

Where I live in the USA, the stores usually stock a kind of feed that's labeled "starter/grower," and it's meant to be fed from hatch until the birds are old enough to lay eggs. I have not noticed separate starter and and grower feeds in my local stores.

 

[Sarah2020]

Do you have a link to one of those timelines?

I've certainly used "chick starter" for baby chicks, from the day they hatch or arrive in the mail until they are old enough to lay eggs. In fact, I've used it for adult chickens too (I just had to offer oyster shell for calcium when they were old enough to lay eggs.) They were all fine.

And the chick starter I used said, right on the bag, "feed from hatch until...."

https://www.thepioneerchicks.com/chick-growth-guide-with-pictures/ Thank you!!

 

[AntiqueB]

For day 1, that one says to provide a chick starter feed (18-20% protein).
For week 5, it says you can switch to starter/grower (20% protein).

Some parts of the US only have starter/grower, which is suitable for all chicks up to point of lay, around 18 weeks. After that, either switch to layer, or keep giving the starter/grower/all-flock with oyster shell on the side.

 

[NatJ]

https://www.thepioneerchicks.com/chick-growth-guide-with-pictures/

Thanks!
I agree with AntiqueB, that it says to feed "starter" from the first day, but then says you can switch to "starter/grower" at 5 weeks.

I think it's a bit silly for them to say it that way in the guide, because it can be confusing.

But your chicks should be fine eating starter from the first day. Yes, that IS what starter is meant for: the first feed for baby chicks, which is also fine for the chickens to eat at older ages.

 

[Sarah2020]

Got it! Thank you everyone. This kind of panicked me like I’ve ruined my chicks with a bad start to their lives. Sounds like everything is under control.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Some parts of the US only have starter/grower, which is suitable for all chicks up to point of lay, around 18 weeks. After that, either switch to layer, or keep giving the starter/grower/all-flock with oyster shell on the side.

I think it's more the individual brands and what they opt to label their feed. Not all brands have all variations of feed, and not all stores will carry a brand's full line.

 

[tigger19687]

And isn't that website made by teenagers ?
Not saying they don't have some good info but you need to look around to see what others are doing too.
I'm also not a fan of them saying to give grass at 2 weeks.