Chickens require food that meets their developmental stage of life. At six weeks, chicks need a grower feed ration with higher protein and calcium content than what would normally be found in layer feed rations.
Grower feed rations come both medicated and unmedicated varieties, with many flock owners finding that their chicks prefer crumble over mash or pellet varieties of this chicken feed.
Contents
What is it?
Chicken grower feed is specially-formulated food designed to meet the nutritional needs of chicks, pullets, and cockerels from birth through 20 weeks old. While it contains less protein (around 18%) than layer rations (around 22%), it still provides enough energy, proteins and vitamins necessary for strong bones and strong growth.
Chickens are omnivores, needing both plant and animal proteins for survival. In addition to ground corn, many poultry feeds also contain protein from soybean or canola meal derived from plants used for oil processing; wheat midds which provide high energy and protein; or black soldier fly grubs which offer balanced supply of lysine and methionine amino acids.
Selecting appropriate feed for your chicks and chickens is essential to their wellbeing and longevity. As such, feed rations at various developmental stages will ensure optimal performance and life spans; to do this effectively a specific nutrient mix tailored specifically towards their unique dietary requirements must be used.
What is it used for?
Grower feed provides your teenage chooks with all of their nutritional needs when they begin laying, replacing chick starter and providing adequate levels of protein (16-18%) but less calcium to promote egg shell production.
Chickens require proteins and calcium for strong muscles and egg production. As omnivores, their sources of protein usually come from plant sources like soybeans and canola seeds, lupins or sunflower meal (made when these plants are processed into oil), but many poultry farmers include animal byproducts such as bone meal in their feed too.
Some chicken owners prefer using mash or crumble as starter and grower feed instead of pellets for starter and grower birds, since their texture more closely resembles that of natural chick diet, making digestibility easier. Others find a smoother transition when moving their pullets or cockerels from mash to pellets.
How do I feed my chicks?
Chick starter and grower feed is designed to promote the health and growth of baby chickens from day one, from their intestinal tract development and feather production through immune support to developing their intestinal tracts and feathers.
At approximately eight weeks of age, your chicks should move from being fed starter mash (also called starter crumble) to chick grower feed which contains less protein (16-18%) and calcium for their healthy development.
At approximately 20 weeks, chicks should transition to layer feed that provides them with all of the nutritional needs associated with egg laying chickens. A typical layer feed usually consists of 15-18% protein and more calcium to promote strong eggshells. At this age, table scraps or mealworms may also be given occasionally – however, as a general guideline most of your chicks’ nutrition should come from their specialized chicken feed.
Where can I buy it?
We carry an organic and soy-free grower feed, designed to ensure optimal health for strong bones and feather growth in chicks. Made up of cracked and milled grains enriched with alfalfa, kelp, flaxseed and nutrients – providing your birds with all they need for proper development of bones and feathers.
Once your chicks reach 6 weeks of age they no longer require baby food but instead require something to meet their special dietary needs. Grower feed is specially formulated to support chicks up to 20 weeks old and has higher protein content than starter food (15-18%) but without as high an elevation in calcium as layer feed (16-18%) does.
Chicken grower feed can come either in pelleted form, or it can be combined with hot water to form a thicker granola-like consistency that your flock will love. We suggest the pelleted variety as it’s easier to handle, maintains its shape more consistently and helps to minimize incidental waste.
