Feeding Chicks and Chickens at Different Ages- When to Switch from Starter Feed to Layer Feed

Chickens at different stages of development require different feed formulations.

Many people don't know when and why we transition younger pullets, who haven't begun laying, to a layer feed, or why it's crucial not to make this switch too soon.

With chick season approaching, I believe this information could be beneficial for new chicken owners.

Starter Feed- Day 1 to 18 weeks (Chicks)

Starter feed contains the highest percentage of protein (20%) a layer will ever consume, which makes sense given their rate of growth in the first few months of life.

Starter Feed is available in both medicated and non-medicated varieties.

Medicated feed contains amprolium, which protects chicks from the progression of coccidiosis, a common and deadly intestinal disease that is spread in fecal matter.

Chicks that have received the coccidiosis vaccine should not be fed medicated starter, as the amprolium will alter the vaccine as to not be affective and the chicks would be vulnerable to the disease.

When conditions become overcrowded, dirty. wet and warm from the heat source, coccidiosis can thrive with deadly consequences.

Chickens build up a natural immunity to the organisms that cause coccidiosis with or without medicated starter.

Offering your chicks a clean, dry environment to build up immunity will prepare them until they are ready to head out to the big coop.

As far as offering chicks treats, I would not recommend it at all. Chicks are tiny and treats will replace a percentage of the nutrition in starter feed that their rapidly-growing bodies require.

Layer Feed- 18 weeks

Chicks should be transitioned to layer feed at 18 weeks. Layer feed should not be fed to chickens younger than 18 weeks unless they have begun egg laying because it contains calcium that can permanently damage the kidneys, reduce lifetime egg production and shorten a chickens lifespan.

Layer feed is available in mash, crumble and pellets. Layer feed generally contains 16-18% protein and has added calcium, which is necessary for strong bones and creating egg shells.

Hens deprived of adequate amounts of dietary calcium will utilize the calcium stored within their own bones to produce egg shells, which is unhealthy for them and could result in osteoporosis.

Supplemental Calcium

Layer feed provides a quick release of calcium from crushed limestone, while crushed oyster shells, which release calcium slowly, should be offered to laying hens in a separate dish rather than mixed with the feed. Each hen has different calcium needs and will consume the necessary amount of oyster shell.

Don't be concerned if the oyster shell dish doesn't seem to be depleting like their chicken feed. Typically, a hen needing extra calcium will take a piece or two just before going to the roost at night, as the eggshell forms while she sleeps. During the day, she receives a steady supply of calcium from her feed, but at night, when she's not eating, she may not get enough calcium if she requires more. For example, a hen that lays more eggs weekly or produces larger eggs may need more calcium than others.

The oyster shell acts like a rock in a dryer. It tumbles around in their gizzard as its slowly being dissolved overnight while she sleeps and is still getting that slow trickle of calcium.

Do not feed their egg shells back to them.

Eggshells provide a quick-release form of calcium, similar to the calcium (limestone) found in chicken feed. The chickens' bodies can absorb only a limited amount of calcium, and any excess must be expelled through the kidneys, increasing the risk of kidney damage.

You can purchase Oyster Shells at any Poultry Feed store.

Feeding Different Age Groups Together:

Chicken Math- yes it is real.

Feeding either a non-medicated starter or a grower feed with oyster shell available free-choice in a separate dish is the best solution. The additional protein in the starter/grower will not hurt the older birds but the calcium in the layer feed can damage the kidneys of the growing birds.

Grower Feed

It is not necessary to switch your young chicks from medicated starter feed over to a grower feed if you do not have existing flock members, You can keep them on medicated starter right up until you switch them over to layer feed at 18 weeks if you choose. The amprolium in the medicated starter feed will help them with the chances of coccidiosis progressing as they grow and build up their immune system.

*Side Note- We don't give our chickens a layer mash. Why? Because it contains a variety of colors and sizes. Chickens eat based on visual cues. Although the layer mash is nutritionally complete when packaged, chickens tend to select the largest and brightest pieces, leaving the rest. This means they miss out on all 38 essential nutrients needed for a robust immune system, optimal egg production, and longevity, leading to malnourishment.

We do not give any extras or treats to our chicks, pullets, or breeding flock—absolutely nothing. This means no fruits, vegetables, mealworms, scratch, cracked corn, watermelon, and so on. Providing these disrupts the nutritional balance of their chicken feed and can lead to health issues over time.

Chickens will achieve their best health by maintaining their nutritional balance without the addition of treats. If you keep chickens as pets, unlike the farmer who processes his hens at the end of the summer, their diet is important. However, if you are like the farmer and do not keep your hens for long, nutrition is less critical.

Our poultry feed of choice is Purina Medicated Starter/ Grower crumbles for all our chicks and Grow-outs. We feed Purina Layer Pellets to all our flock over the age of 18 weeks. It is made by Land-O-Lakes.

Purina cat and dog food is made by Nestle.

Two separate companies.

We choose Purina for two reasons:

1. It has been established for years and is a respected feed company, unlike the "pop up" feed companies that have only been in existence briefly. Poultry nutrition is a science, not just a recipe, which is crucial for the health and longevity of laying hens.

   
   

2. If you ever have a nutritional question, regarding their chicken feed, they have poultry nutritionists that you can contact if needed. There are not many, if any poultry feed companies that offer that service.

   
   

   There are 5 different locations that offer Purina if you live in the general area as our Ranch.

   1. Madoc Farm Supply- This is generally where we go as it is the closest to us.

   2. Campbellford Farm Supply

   3. Warkworth Farm Supply

   4. TCO Agromart- Selby Napanee

   5. Picton Farm Supply

   
   

   We do not earn any profit or commission from Purina. Our goal is to share our understanding of the significance of poultry nutrition, which is why we've dedicated time and effort to thoroughly study it.

   Based on our own research, we have the greatest confidence in feeding our flock Purina.

   The nutrition of our breeding stock is crucial for ensuring the quality of our Hatching Eggs, Chicks, and Grow-Out Pullets.

   
   

   In the photo at the top of this blog, you can see our Grampa's Feeder, which holds around 40 lbs of chicken feed (about 3/4 of a bag). If you're looking to save money on feed wasted by rodents or chickens, this is the solution.

   The Oyster Shell container is also shown.

   You can get something similar at the Dollarstore. It's simply a plastic wild bird feeder hung on a hook inside the run. I refill the bird feeder with oyster shells about 2 or 3 times a year. The bird feeder costs around $5.00.

We hope this information was helpful. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us directly or leave in comments below.