How long do I use starter feed for new chicks?
So you've bought your chicks, you got your brood box and heat lamps, you've got your poultry protector.... now what do I feed them? Check out our video or read on to learn about the difference between feeding meat birds and layers, and how to tell when you need to switch your feeds.
Meat Birds vs Layers
Well, the short answer is this: meat bird chicks eat the same food from the time you bring them home to the time they reach slaughter age. As Dave says in the video, meat birds only eat one food - and that's a meat bird feed.
But layer chicks are a different story.
Layer chicks eat two different types of feed, a grower formula and a layer formula - like Dave says in the video, a solid rule of thumb for when to switch your layers is "at about 16 weeks," but there are other things that you have to consider before making a decision based on averages.
When to Feed Layer Chicks Grower Formula
Layers get grower formula in the first part of their lives. Why? Two simple reasons.
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When your layer chicks are growing, they produce muscle mass and bone mass at a higher rate than they do as adults just like kids, they need more food.
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So, during the first 16 weeks, you have to fuel the formation of your chick's muscle mass and bones that's a "grower" formula, and has a higher protein content
So that seems simple enough right? Well, each breed of chick is different and will reach maturity at a different age, and if you aren't careful, you could potentially harm your fuzzy friend. Here's how to take the guesswork out of switching feeds.
When Do I Make the Layer Feed Switch?
Simple answer: You switch your chicks from grower formula to layer formula AFTER they start laying eggs!
So why does Dave say 16 weeks in the video? Because that's the average time a pullet will lay its first egg - but not all chicks are the same, and there's a wide range of "normal" for your chick's point of lay (the term for that first egg day).
Here are three signs that will help you determine when it's time to head to North 40 Outfitters for that layer formula you'll need after egg day:
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The submissive squat. This is the most telling physical sign that a chick is ready to lay. More often than not, when you see her squat, you can expect your first egg in a week.
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Nest box exploration. If you see your pullet entering/exiting and rearranging the nesting box, then you need to start thinking about making the switch to layer feeds.
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Color shift and waddle changes. These are a normal part of development for any chick, but for a layer, pay attention to color and size of her waddle and comb. The adult layer will have a large, dark fleshy waddle and comb when she is ready to lay - and that's when you come into North 40 Outfitters and get your new feed type!
