Emily Carter
Chicks should be fed chick starter feed, also known as starter crumbles, until they are 18 weeks old. Starter feed contains 20% protein, the highest percentage of protein a chicken will ever consume, which makes sense given their rapid growth in the first few months. After 18 weeks, chicks can be transitioned to layer feed, which is also available in crumble form. However, some sources suggest that chicks can be weaned off crumbles and onto growers pellets from five to seven weeks of age.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age to take chicks off crumble | 5-7 weeks |
| Age to transition to layer feed | 18 weeks |
| Age chicks are considered 'growers' | 6-18 weeks |
| Age chicks are considered 'cockerels' | 18+ weeks (males under one year old) |
| Age chicks are considered 'pullets' | 18+ weeks (females under one year old) |
| Age chicks are fully feathered | 5-6 weeks |
| Age chicks are ready for roosts | 4 weeks |
| Age chicks are ready for nest boxes | 4-5 months |
| Age chicks can be fed treats | Rarely, in moderation, and no more than 2 tablespoons per bird per day |
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What You'll Learn
- Chicks should be fed crumble until 6 months old or when they lay their first egg
- Starter feed and layer crumble should be avoided by chicks under 18 weeks old
- Chicks can be fed homemade treats like eggs, mealworms, and vegetables
- Chicks should be transitioned to growers pellet feed by 6-7 weeks old
- Broilers or meat chickens should be fed broiler grower feed from 4 weeks old
Chicks should be fed crumble until 6 months old or when they lay their first egg
Chicks have specific dietary requirements, and their nutritional needs change as they develop. Crumbles are a type of feed formulated for chicks, containing a high level of protein to promote growth.
Chicks should be fed crumble until they are 6 months old or when they lay their first egg. This is because crumble is a complete feed, meaning it contains all the protein, vitamins, and minerals that a chick needs to grow. Chicks will eat more and more crumble as they grow, and by five weeks of age, they will be wasting some of what they are fed. At this point, you can start to transition them to a growers pellet, which is lower in protein. By six or seven weeks of age, they should be fully transitioned to growers pellets.
It is important to note that layer feed, which is formulated for laying hens, should not be fed to chickens younger than 18 weeks old. This is because layer feed contains calcium, which can damage a chick's kidneys. However, once a chick begins laying eggs, they will need the extra calcium in layer feed to produce strong egg shells.
Some chicken keepers choose to feed their chicks a growers mix from the beginning, rather than starting with crumble. This can be supplemented with calcium in the form of eggshells or oyster shells, to ensure the chicks get enough calcium in their diet.
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Starter feed and layer crumble should be avoided by chicks under 18 weeks old
Chicks have specific nutritional requirements that change as they grow. Starter feed, or chick crumbs, are formulated to meet the nutritional needs of chicks from the day they hatch until they are 18 weeks old. These crumbs are high in protein to promote growth and contain processed grains, vitamins and minerals.
Chicks should be fed a diet of 20% protein chick starter until they are 6 months old or have laid their first egg. At this point, they can be transitioned to a diet of 16-18% lay pellets, crumbles, or mash. However, it is important to note that layer feed contains calcium to support eggshell production, which can be harmful to chicks.
Some sources suggest that chicks can be transitioned to growers' pellets as early as 5 weeks old, and by 6 or 7 weeks old, they should be fed with growers' pellets, which are lower in protein. Growers' pellets are suitable for chicks up to 18 weeks old, at which point they are considered 'cockerels' (males under one year old) or 'pullets' (females under one year old).
Layer feed should be avoided for chickens younger than 18 weeks old unless they have started laying eggs. The high calcium content in layer feed can cause kidney damage, reduce lifetime egg production, and shorten a bird's lifespan. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the recommended feeding guidelines for chicks to ensure their health and well-being.
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Chicks can be fed homemade treats like eggs, mealworms, and vegetables
Eggs are an excellent source of protein and vitamins for chicks and can be served scrambled, hard-boiled, or raw. When feeding cooked eggs, it is best to avoid adding salt, but fresh or dried herbs, sunflower seeds, and vegetables like zucchini and peas are safe additions. The egg shells can also be washed, dried, ground up, and fed to the chicks to provide an extra boost of calcium.
Mealworms are another treat option, as they are high in fat and part of a chicken's natural diet. However, due to their high-fat content, they should be fed in moderation and rotated with other treats like strawberries, grapes, watermelon, dark leafy greens, cucumber, pumpkin, and squash guts.
Chicks can also be fed vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to give chicks a clod of earth when they are about a week old, as this encourages them to peck at the ground rather than each other and exposes them to germs to strengthen their immune systems. After this initial introduction, chicks can be fed vegetables and fruits like greens, zucchini, and peas, but it is important to avoid potatoes, green tomatoes, tomato stems, and tomato leaves.
It is important to note that treats like eggs, mealworms, and vegetables should be fed in moderation and rotated with other options to ensure the chicks' diet remains balanced and aligned with their natural diet as closely as possible.
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Chicks should be transitioned to growers pellet feed by 6-7 weeks old
Chicks have different nutritional requirements at different stages of their growth. From the day they hatch until they are about 18 weeks old, chicks should be fed a starter feed, also known as starter crumbles, which contains about 20% protein to support their rapid growth.
Some sources suggest that chicks can be transitioned to growers pellets as early as 5 weeks of age. However, it is important to ensure that the chicks are fully feathered and that the weather is not too cold before making the transition. If the chicks are not ready, they may need to be kept indoors and provided with additional warmth.
It is important to note that layer feed, which is high in calcium, should not be fed to chickens younger than 18 weeks unless they have started laying eggs. The high calcium content can damage a chick's kidneys and affect their health and lifespan. Chicks should only be fed layer feed once they start laying eggs to ensure they get enough calcium to produce strong eggshells.
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Broilers or meat chickens should be fed broiler grower feed from 4 weeks old
Broiler chickens, also known as meat chickens, have specific nutritional requirements due to their rapid growth. They require a diet high in protein to support their fast development, with a protein content of around 19% from four weeks old until slaughter. This is important to note as their nutritional needs are critical and must be met within a short time frame.
When broilers are first born, they require a protein feed with 18-19% protein content for the first four weeks of life. After this, they should be transitioned to a broiler grower feed to continue supporting their growth. Broiler grower feed is specifically formulated for broilers, with the correct calcium content, which is crucial as layer feed contains too much calcium for broilers to process.
Broiler chickens are typically marketed as Cornish hens at four weeks old and are ready for grocery stores at seven weeks. After eight weeks, they are used for de-boned chicken products. Their rapid growth means their nutritional requirements are distinct from those of layer chickens or dual-purpose birds.
Some sources suggest that chicks can be fed grower feed from day one, and while this may be suitable for some chicks, it is important to note that they will not grow as quickly. Broiler chicks are known for their high feed-conversion ratios, so ensuring they receive the correct feed is essential.
On average, each broiler chicken will consume around 10 pounds of feed in the first six weeks, and 3 to 4 pounds of feed per week after this. It is important to provide a continual supply of fresh water, as broilers will not be able to digest their feed without adequate hydration.
In summary, broilers or meat chickens should be fed broiler grower feed from four weeks old to ensure they receive the correct balance of nutrients to support their rapid growth and development.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicks should be taken off crumble feed at around 5-7 weeks old. At this age, they will be wasting some of what you feed and will need to be transitioned to a growers pellet.
After being taken off crumble, chicks can be fed growers pellets. These are lower in protein.
Crumble feed, or chick starter crumble, is a blend specially formulated for a chick's growth and development. It is high in protein to promote growth and contains processed grains, vitamins and minerals.
Layer feed, which is intended for adult chickens, is high in calcium and can damage a chick's kidneys, reduce lifetime egg production and shorten a bird's lifespan. It is also important to avoid homemade feed blends as imprecise calculations and the wrong ingredients can affect growth in young chickens.
