When to change from Chick Starter?

[Kenshan1]

Ok I am new to chickens. My chicken book hasn't come yet for me to look up all this info

We've had our chicks for 5 days now, I know it will be a while before I need to change feed but I'd hate to buy a bunch more food when I might need to change over or something. The chicks are 4-6wks, not for sure but someone on here said that's what they look like so I'm going with that. They are on chick starter right now. At what age do I change them to adult hen food? What kind of food do I get at that age? Can they have treats like leftover peas at this age or not yet?

Our chicks probably won't be let out in the yard much as we have a Jack Russell with a high prey drive. The dog is doing good till a chick wants to fly & that gets him excited, atleast he is responding to me telling him to "leave it". My Sheltie & Cocker are doing good with them, through the fence that is. Since the chicks won't be able to eat grass etc, is there anything else they might need that I could give them that they would normally get free ranging?

Thanks,
Shannon

 

[nuts4chickens]

You will need to switch them over to layer feed around 16-20 weeks or when they begin laying. Green peas as treats are fine. Good luck and hope you enjoy your babies!!!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you are trying to raise laying chickens, not meat birds, the normal recommended progression is starter until they are about 6 weeks old, switch to grower then and feed grower until you switch to layer. Start feeding layer at 20 weeks or when they first start to lay, whichever comes first. The exact ages are not written in stone. If you have grower left over, go on and finish that bag or mix it with grower until it is gone. Same thing when you switch from grower to layer. If you have grower left over when they start to lay, mix it with layer until it is gone. No big deal.

Good luck!

 

[Kenshan1]

Thanks. I will get some grower feed tomorrow as I need more bedding, 1 bag of it wasn't enough I found out for my size of coop. I'll give them another week on the Starter before switching slowly. Should I get the the oyster shell stuff now or is that for older birds?

We are mostly going for laying hens. My husband wouldn't mind having a chicken dinner once in a while but we will see if we get too attached or not.

Shannon

 

[redturtle]

dont give oyster shell until about 20 weeks when they start laying....

you can give them grit now tho especially if you will be giving them treats like peas

 

[Chris09]

Chris