Starter chicken feed is a high-protein, specially tailored diet designed for chicks 0-8 weeks old, usually offered in either the form of mash or crumbles.
Consider purchasing starter-grower feed containing at least 18% protein to ensure strong and healthy chick development. In addition, consider medicated starter feed that contains amprolium for prevention of coccidiosis in unvaccinated chicks.
Contents
Protein
Chicks have specific dietary requirements. In their first six weeks of life, chicks must consume high protein starter feed known as mash or crumble that contains enough proteins for optimal development during this stage. A high percentage of proteins ensures adequate development.
Starter feeds can come both medicated and unmedicated varieties, with medicated options typically containing amprolium to protect young chicks against coccidiosis (an intestinal parasite which causes bloody stool and blocks nutrient absorption) but if your chicks have already been vaccinated against this illness it would be wise to avoid medicated starter food since amprolium will interfere with any vaccine against it that might have been given to them.
After six weeks, chicks should be switched over to grower chicken feed (also referred to as grower crumble or mash). Grower feed has lower protein concentration than starter food (18 percent) and less calcium than layer feed; this will allow chicks to fully mature without beginning egg production too early.
Fat
Starting their lives off right, chicks require food high in protein. Starter feed is designed specifically for baby chicks and contains 20 to 24 percent protein. It provides energy from grains like wheat and corn while building muscles; calcium contributes to strong bones; zinc iron manganese are all necessary elements that support growth – all included as supplements with pellets or crumbles being medicated with Amprolium to prevent coccidiosis.
Omede and Iji conducted a study that demonstrated how chicks fed a high-quality starter diet had more weight gain than those given low-quality pre-starter food, due to them growing up to seven times their initial hatch weight in one month requiring optimal amounts of nutrients for growth.
Fiber
An increasingly larger chick has specific dietary needs that must be met from day one. They require starter feed with 20-24% protein content that supports their rapid development as well as vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients that ensure their wellbeing.
Chick food should contain plenty of digestible fiber to support optimal microbe digestion in their gut, providing energy for the bird and decreasing viscosity for easier nutrient absorption.
A medicated chick starter feed typically includes Amprolium as a coccidiostat to protect chicks against the parasitic disease coccidiosis, which can prevent absorption of vital nutrients and result in bloody stool or even death. Furthermore, it’s designed with protein, amino acids and prebiotics along with probiotics, yeast cultures and essential oils formulated specifically to support gut health and immunity in developing chicks. Feed may come in pellet form, mash form or crumbles but should always remain dust-free and easily accessible to facilitate feeding.
Vitamins and Minerals
As part of your chicken feed’s ingredients, look for whole grains like wheat and barley as the first listed items, since their digestible nature makes them easier for chicks to digest than corn-based diets. Also check protein percentage – 18% is minimum required for growth of your chicks.
Medicated chick starter contains amprolium to help prevent coccidiosis – an intestinal parasite which can be contracted through soil contact or contaminated feed and lead to potential death in young chicks. Coccidiosis is more likely to strike when living in overcrowded conditions; with medicated feed reducing how many oocysts your chicks ingest, thus building immunity.
Non-medicated chick starter does not contain amprolium and is often recommended for chicks that have been vaccinated against coccidiosis. To make sure that they receive appropriate feeding options, ask your hatchery or farm store whether they recommend medicated or unmedicated feed; if neither option is recommended, unmedicated feed can still be given; just ensure clean water and grit are available to aid digestion.
