Chick Starter: How Much For Five Chicks?

Raising chicks can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to their nutrition. The amount of chick starter feed required for five chicks can vary depending on various factors, including breed, age, and nutritional needs. It's important to ensure that chicks have access to feed at all times during their waking hours to support their growth and development. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, understanding the general guidelines and recommendations can help you make informed decisions about how much chick starter to purchase for your flock.

Starter feed requirements: 1lb per chick per week

When it comes to feeding your chicks, it's important to provide them with the right type and amount of feed to ensure their healthy growth and development. Starter feed is crucial for baby chicks, and the general guideline is to provide about 1 pound of starter feed per chick per week. This means that for five chicks, you would need approximately 5 pounds of starter feed per week.

During their first few weeks, chicks have specific nutritional requirements, and starter feed is formulated to meet these needs. It is recommended that chicks remain on starter feed for at least the first four to six weeks of their lives. Some sources suggest that starter feed should be provided until the chicks are around 18 weeks old. This longer duration ensures that they receive the necessary nutrients to support their rapid growth during this critical period.

The amount of starter feed consumed by chicks can vary depending on various factors, including breed, feed quality, and individual chick appetite. It's important to monitor their feeding habits and adjust the amount provided accordingly. While they should have access to feed at all times during their waking hours, it's essential to ensure that the feed is fresh and stored properly to prevent spoilage.

As a chick's nutritional needs change as they grow, it's recommended to transition them to a grower or developer feed after the initial starter feed period. This type of feed has a different nutritional composition, typically with a lower protein content, to support their changing bodies. The grower feed period can last until the chicks are ready to start laying eggs, at which point they will require a specialised layer feed.

It's worth noting that chick feed comes in different forms, such as mash, crumbles, or pellets. For baby chicks, it's essential to provide them with finely milled or crumble starter feed, as larger particles can be inappropriate for their small bodies. Additionally, always follow the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations for the specific feed you choose, as formulations can vary between brands.

By providing your chicks with the appropriate starter feed and ensuring they have access to fresh, clean water at all times, you'll be supporting their health and development, giving them the best start in life.

Starter feed duration: 4-6 weeks

Starter feed is recommended for chicks from hatch until they are around 4-6 weeks old. This feed has a higher protein content than other types of feed, which chicks need to support their bone health and immune system.

Chicks need this higher protein content to help them grow, but if they continue to get this much protein after 6 weeks, they can overdose on protein and develop liver and kidney problems. Starter feed should contain no greater than 20-22% protein for dual-purpose or egg-type chickens.

After 4-6 weeks, your chicks can transition to a grower feed, which has a lower protein content—usually about 16 to 18 percent—but also less calcium than a layer feed, as it doesn't need to support egg development. Some sources suggest that you can keep your chicks on a non-medicated starter feed for life, but you will need to supplement their diet with calcium in the form of crushed oyster shells or another source.

The amount of feed you will need for your chicks will depend on the breed, but as a general rule, laying breeds will eat about 1 pound of feed per chick each week. This means you will need about 5 pounds of feed per chick for the first 4-6 weeks.

Some flock keepers may choose to feed their chicks medicated starter feed, but this is not necessary if your birds have already been vaccinated against diseases such as coccidiosis.

Protein content: 20-22%

Chicks require different amounts of protein at different stages of their growth. For their first six weeks, chicks need feed with 20% to 22% protein for their rapidly growing bodies. This feed is called a chick starter or grower feed. Chicks need a lot of protein because they are growing very quickly and developing their feathers.

After six weeks, juvenile chicks will need a little over 1 pound of grower/developer feed per week until they start laying, usually somewhere between 16 and 24 weeks of age. This means you will need a little more than 8 pounds of grower/developer feed per chick. Birds from six weeks of age to the point of lay need feed with 14% to 16% protein.

Some sources recommend that starter feeds should contain no greater than 21% protein for dual-purpose or egg-type chickens, as too much protein can cause growth problems. One source suggests that the recommended range for protein in starter feed is 18% to 20%, and that it is not desirable to go higher. Another source recommends chick starter feed with 18% protein, and not to go over 20%.

The amount of feed you will need depends on the breed of your chicks. One source recommends 5 pounds of starter feed during the first four weeks of life per chick. Another source says that a 50-pound bag of chick starter lasted them five weeks with eight chicks.

Medicated vs unmedicated

When it comes to feeding your chicks, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, let's look at how much feed you'll need for five chicks. A general rule of thumb is that each chick will eat about 1 pound of feed per week for the first six weeks of their lives. This means you will need about 5 pounds of feed per chick to reach the point where they switch to a grower/developer feed. Therefore, for five chicks, you would need about 25 pounds of feed for the first six weeks.

Now, let's discuss the difference between medicated and unmedicated chick starter feed. Medicated chick starter feed is formulated with a medication called amprolium, which helps prevent coccidiosis, one of the most common diseases to affect chicks. Coccidiosis is a dangerous parasite that can be spread by infected chickens, soiled bedding, insects, wild birds, and even human footwear. Amprolium blocks the absorption of thiamine (Vitamin B), which is necessary for the parasite to multiply, thereby preventing the parasites from proliferating. However, it's important to note that medicated feed is not a cure, and chicks can still contract coccidiosis even with the medication. Additionally, medicated feed may lead to a thiamine deficiency and should not be fed to waterfowl as they consume more feed and could potentially overdose on amprolium.

On the other hand, unmedicated chick starter feed does not contain amprolium. Instead, it provides the necessary vitamins, minerals, and proteins for your chicks' development. Unmedicated feed allows your chicks to develop their natural immunity to coccidiosis by gradually exposing them to their surroundings. This can be achieved by raising chicks in a clean, dry environment or by allowing them to be raised by a mother hen, where they can sample the mother hen's poop, helping them build immunity to the cocci parasite.

The decision between medicated and unmedicated chick starter feed depends on your specific circumstances. Vaccinated chicks can typically receive unmedicated feed, while unvaccinated chicks may benefit from the added protection of medicated feed. Providing your chicks with optimal conditions, such as a clean environment and proper nutrition, will increase their quality of life and help them build a strong foundation for growth and health.

Alternative emergency rations

For the first six weeks of their lives, chicks require finely-milled chick starter feed. Laying breeds will eat about 1 pound of feed per chick each week. This means you will need about 5 pounds of feed per chick to reach the point where they switch to a grower/developer feed at around 6 weeks of age.

A good emergency ration for chicks is a 50-50 blend of rolled oats and cornmeal, blended to a mash or crumble consistency. However, chicks should not be on this emergency ration for more than a day as it does not constitute a balanced diet.

• Bread crusts from whole wheat bread
• Grains such as corn, wheat, or bread
• Proteins such as cat food, meat, eggs, fish, or cooked beans
• Vegetables such as carrot peels

It is important to note that layer mash, crumbles, or pellets should never be fed to chicks, even as an emergency ration, as they have a high calcium content that is toxic to chicks and can cause bone, liver, and kidney problems or even death.

In terms of the amount of chick starter to purchase, a 50-pound bag is generally more economical than smaller bags, and a 50-pound bag can last for up to 10 weeks for 6 chicks.

Frequently asked questions