Sophie Bennett
Chicks have unique dietary requirements that change as they grow. From the day they hatch until they are about 18 weeks old, chicks should be fed a diet of starter feed, also known as starter crumbles, which contains about 20% protein. This feed is designed to support the chick's rapid growth in its first few months. After this, chicks can be transitioned to grower feed, which is lower in protein and calcium, and supports healthy development. Grower feed is recommended for chicks between 6 and 20 weeks of age, and layer feed should be introduced after 18 weeks, or when the chick begins laying eggs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age to switch from meal to crumble | 5-8 weeks |
| Crumble characteristics | Coarser than mash, but not as compact as pellets |
| Crumble usage | Can be fed to chickens at any stage of life |
| Starter feed characteristics | Contains 20% protein, the highest a layer will ever consume |
| Starter feed usage | From day-old to 16-18 weeks old |
| Grower feed characteristics | Lower protein content, less than 18% |
| Grower feed usage | From 6-20 weeks old |
| Layer feed characteristics | Contains calcium and other vitamins and minerals |
| Layer feed usage | From 18-20 weeks old or after the first egg |
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What You'll Learn
- Chicks should be fed crumble from birth until they are eight weeks old
- At eight weeks, chicks become pullets and should be transitioned to grower feed
- Grower feed should be lower in protein and calcium than starter feed
- At 18 weeks, pullets can be transitioned to layer feed if they have started laying eggs
- Layer feed is high in calcium and protein to promote strong eggshells and healthy eggs
Chicks should be fed crumble from birth until they are eight weeks old
Chicks have specific nutritional requirements that change as they grow. From the moment they hatch, they can survive for a day or more without food or water thanks to the yolk sac they absorb before birth. However, they should be fed within hours of arrival and every day going forward.
Chick starter crumble is formulated to give chicks a healthy start in life. It contains 20% protein, omega-3s for healthy brain development, and prebiotics and probiotics for improved gut health and immune development. It is also available in medicated and non-medicated varieties. Medicated feed contains amprolium to protect chicks from coccidiosis, a common and deadly intestinal disease spread through faecal matter. Chicks that have received the coccidiosis vaccine should not be fed medicated feed, as the amprolium will render the vaccine useless.
At eight weeks, chicks are considered pullets and should be transitioned to grower feed with a slightly lower protein content and calcium level (less than 1.25%). This feed should still include omega-3s and other essential nutrients to support digestion and health.
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At eight weeks, chicks become pullets and should be transitioned to grower feed
Chicks have specific nutritional requirements that change as they grow. For the first 18 weeks of their lives, chicks should be fed a starter feed, also known as starter crumbles, which contains around 20% protein to support their rapid growth. This feed can be purchased in both medicated and unmedicated varieties. Medicated feed contains amprolium, which protects chicks from coccidiosis, a common and deadly intestinal disease.
The transition to grower feed should be gradual, taking place over the course of about a week. This can be done by mixing a little of the new feed with the old and slowly increasing the proportion of grower feed each day. This prevents the chicks from getting an upset stomach due to a sudden change in their diet.
Once pullets begin laying eggs, they should be transitioned to a layer feed, which is higher in calcium and protein to support egg production and shell quality. Layer feed is typically introduced when chickens are around 16 to 20 weeks old, or when they first start laying eggs. This feed is designed to meet the needs of mature laying hens and contains a balance of protein, calcium, and other important vitamins and minerals.
It is important to note that layer feed should not be fed to chickens younger than 18 weeks unless they have begun laying eggs, as the high calcium content can cause kidney damage and reduce the bird's lifespan. Additionally, treats, fruits, vegetables, and other fibrous foods should be limited and supplemented with grit to aid in digestion if the chickens do not forage outside.
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Grower feed should be lower in protein and calcium than starter feed
Chicks should be fed starter feed, also known as starter crumble, from the day they are born until they are 6 to 8 weeks old. This feed contains the highest protein percentage (20%) a layer chicken will ever consume, which is essential given their rapid growth in the first few months.
After this initial period, chicks can be transitioned to grower feed, which has a lower protein content (16-18%) and less calcium than layer feed. This is because grower feed is designed for adolescent chickens that are still developing but do not yet need to support egg development.
Chickens should be transitioned to layer feed at around 18 to 20 weeks or when they start laying eggs. Layer feed contains added calcium to support eggshell development and typically has a protein content of 16-18%.
It is important to note that feeding growing chickens too much protein can lead to kidney or liver problems later in life. Additionally, layer feed should not be given to chickens younger than 18 weeks unless they have started laying eggs, as the high calcium content can damage their kidneys and reduce egg production and lifespan.
Therefore, it is recommended to feed chicks grower feed after the initial starter feed period, as it provides a balanced diet to support their ongoing development without the excessive protein and calcium of layer feed.
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At 18 weeks, pullets can be transitioned to layer feed if they have started laying eggs
Chicks have unique dietary requirements that change as they grow. From the day they hatch until they are about 18 weeks old, chicks should be fed a diet of chick starter feed, also known as starter crumbles. This feed contains about 20% protein, the highest percentage of protein a chicken will ever consume in its life, to support their rapid growth in the first few months.
At around 18 weeks, chicks are considered pullets. Pullets should be transitioned to grower feed, which has a lower protein content (16-18%) than starter feed. This is because feeding too much protein to growing pullets can cause kidney or liver problems later in life. Grower feed should be used until pullets begin laying eggs.
Layer feed is commonly available in mash, crumbles, and pellet forms, which describe the size of the feed. Crumbles are coarser than mash but not as compact as pellets, and they can be fed to chickens at any stage of life. Mash can be combined with hot water to create a porridge-like texture that some chickens enjoy. Pellets are convenient because they hold their shape well and are easy for chickens to pick up.
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Layer feed is high in calcium and protein to promote strong eggshells and healthy eggs
Chicks should be fed a starter feed, also known as starter crumbles, from the day they hatch until they are 18 weeks old. This feed contains about 20% protein, the highest amount of protein a chicken will ever consume in its life, which makes sense given their rapid growth in the first few months.
At 18 weeks, chicks can be transitioned to layer feed, which is high in calcium and protein to promote strong eggshells and healthy eggs. This feed is intended for mature hens that are laying eggs. Calcium is essential for egg formation, as it makes up 94% of the eggshell, with the remainder consisting of magnesium carbonate, glycoproteins, mucoproteins, collagen, and mucopolysaccharides. A typical eggshell weighs 5-6 grams, of which 2 grams are of pure calcium. Therefore, a marginal deficiency in calcium can negatively impact laying performance and cause other problems.
Layer feed is commonly available in mash, crumbles, and pellet forms, with the size of the feed being the only difference between them. It is important to note that layer feed should not be fed to chickens younger than 18 weeks unless they have begun laying eggs, as the high calcium content can permanently damage their kidneys, reduce lifetime egg production, and shorten their lifespan.
To ensure a nutritionally complete diet, treats, fruits, vegetables, corn, mealworms, sunflower seeds, and table scraps should be limited to no more than 2 tablespoons per bird per day and only on rare occasions. This is because diluting the nutrition in the hens' feed can cause issues such as aggression, obesity, feather picking, egg binding, and reduced egg production.
In addition to calcium, other nutrients that are important for egg-laying hens include omega-3s, prebiotics, probiotics, and magnesium. Omega-3s are vital for more nutritious eggs, while prebiotics and probiotics boost immune and digestive health. Magnesium, along with calcium, is needed for strong shells and bones.
Some sources recommend transitioning chicks to a grower feed at around eight weeks of age, which is when they are considered pullets. This feed should have a slightly lower protein content and calcium level (less than 1.25%) but still include omega-3s and other essential nutrients to support digestion and overall health. Once the pullets start laying eggs, they can be transitioned to the high-calcium and protein-rich layer feed.
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Frequently asked questions
Meal and crumble are two different forms of chicken feed. Crumble is coarser than meal, but not as compact as pellets. Crumble is often used as a transition from meal to pellets. However, it can be fed to chickens at any stage of life.
Chicks can be switched from meal to crumble at any age. However, it is important to gradually introduce the new feed over a week to avoid upsetting their stomachs.
Baby chicks require a starter feed or "crumb" that contains around 20% protein. This feed is designed to support the rapid growth of chicks in their first few months of life.
Chicks should be switched from starter feed to grower feed when they are between 16 and 20 weeks old. Growers feed contains less protein and calcium than starter feed, which is important for the health of growing pullets.
