By Theresa Gibilisco, owner, The Hungry Puppy
Every spring we sell chick starter to people who've never raised a chick, and the question I get most isn't about heat lamps. It's "How long do they stay on this stuff?" The short answer: from the day they hatch until they're about 16 weeks old or lay their first egg. Here's what that looks like, using the starter we keep on the shelf, Nutrena's NatureWise Chick Starter Grower 18% Crumble.
Day one
Chicks don't know what a feeder is yet. Nutrena's poultry guide suggests sprinkling feed on the brooder floor for the first few days, then moving to a chick feeder. A shallow dish or an egg carton flat works well too. Dip each chick's beak in the waterer when you put her in the brooder so she knows where the water is.
NatureWise Chick Starter Grower goes in as the only feed. Nutrena's label says to feed it as the sole diet starting at hatch, and not to let the feeder run empty.
Weeks 1 through 8: the growing fast stretch
This is when chicks feather out and seem to double overnight. They need protein for all that growth, and that's what a starter grower is built for. From the NatureWise tag:
- Crude protein: 18% minimum, with lysine at 0.9% and methionine at 0.36% minimum.
- Calcium: 0.8% to 1.3%. That's much lower than a layer feed, and on purpose. Growing birds don't need eggshell levels of calcium.
- Vitamins A, D3 and E, which Nutrena calls Growth Essentials.
- Probiotics at double the counts on the NatureWise layer tag, plus the herbal blend and FlockShield.
- Non-medicated. No coccidiostat in this one.
The crumble is small enough for little beaks, and it cuts down on the feed they flick out of the dish. It comes in 7 lb and 25 lb bags, so a few backyard chicks don't have to start with a giant sack.
Weeks 8 through 16: the teenagers
Same feed. This is where people get tempted to switch early, especially when the pullets look grown. Don't. Layer feed carries close to 4% calcium for hens making shells every day. Purina's own layer directions say not to feed layer to birds under 18 weeks, and Nutrena keeps its chicks on starter grower until 16 weeks. Wait for the age or the first egg.
If they're spending time outside now and picking up bugs and grass, keep the treats small. The starter should still be most of what they eat.
Week 16 or the first egg: switch to layer
At 16 weeks or the onset of lay, Nutrena's directions move pullets to a layer feed such as NatureWise Layer 17% Crumble or the soy-free NatureWise Hearty Hen 18% Pellet. Since they're used to crumbles, the crumble is the easiest switch. Mix the starter and the layer over about a week. That's also when to start oyster shell free choice in its own dish.
Medicated or not?
NatureWise Chick Starter Grower 18% is non-medicated. If your chicks were vaccinated for coccidiosis at the hatchery, that's what you want. Nutrena says medicated starter with amprolium must not be fed to vaccinated chicks for 28 days after the vaccine, because it can interfere with it.
If your chicks weren't vaccinated, you have a choice. We also carry Nutrena Country Feeds Chick Starter Grower Medicated, which contains amprolium to help prevent coccidiosis. Nutrena suggests medicated feed especially for larger batches of chicks, hot and humid conditions, or a brooder that's had coccidiosis before. A clean, dry brooder matters either way.
Not every chick eats this feed
- Meat chickens: broilers grow on a higher protein feed made for them. We special order NatureWise Meatbird 22% Crumble for that.
- Ducklings and goslings: waterfowl need more niacin than chicks. Ask us about Nutrena Country Feeds Duck and All Flock Starter, a special order item with guaranteed niacin.
- Organic flocks: Purina Organic Starter-Grower is on our shelf, and Nutrena's Nature Smart Organic starter is a special order.
Chick starter questions
What's the difference between chick starter and starter grower?
Some brands sell a starter and a separate grower. A starter grower like this one is one feed from hatch to 16 weeks, so you don't have to change bags halfway.
Can my older hens eat the chick starter?
A bite here and there won't hurt, but it's too low in calcium to be a laying hen's main feed. If you're brooding chicks next to the flock, keep the feeders separate.
Do chicks need grit?
Chicks eating only crumbles don't really need it. Once you add treats, scratch or yard time, offer grit sized for young birds in a separate dish.
Is the 18% starter enough protein?
For layer and dual purpose chicks, yes. That's what it's formulated for. Meat birds are the exception.
Bring the chick season home
We stock chick starter, chick waterers and pine shavings for the brooder in Farmingdale, and our own trucks deliver Tuesday through Friday on your town's route day, free with a $20 minimum. See our backyard chicken feed page, our farm feed delivery page, or call 732-938-4470. Setting up your first brooder? Our post on raising chicks covers heat and bedding.