Chick Starter Feed
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Chick Starter Feed
Our comprehensive Chick Starter Feed collection provides everything your young poultry needs for healthy development and optimal growth. Whether you're raising chickens, turkeys, or ducks, we have specialised formulations to meet their unique nutritional requirements.
Choose from premium brands including Country Heritage Feeds, Laucke Feeds, and Vella Stock Feeds, offering both medicated and non-medicated options to suit your flock management preferences. Our selection includes:
- Specialized formulations for different poultry types (chicken, turkey, duck)
- Various textures including crumble, mash, and pellets
- Organic, non-GMO, and conventional options
- Seamless transition feeds like Pullet Grower for maturing birds
From Laucke Pullet Grower to Vella Meat Bird Starter, our high-quality feeds are scientifically formulated to provide balanced nutrition during the critical early growth stages. Give your birds the perfect start with our trusted feed collection, supporting strong skeletal development, healthy immune systems, and vibrant feathering.
See Frequently Asked Questions regarding Chick Starter at the bottom of the page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chick Starter Feed
Q. How long should chickens be fed chick starter?
Chicks are generally fed chick starter from day-old until around 6–8 weeks of age, depending on the particular feed and the type of chicken being raised. Always follow the feeding directions for the specific chick starter you are using.
For example, Vella Chick Starter is formulated for layer chickens from day-old to approximately 6–7 weeks of age.
Q. When should I change from chick starter to pullet grower feed?
Young layer chickens can generally be transitioned from chick starter to pullet grower at around 6 weeks of age.
Vella Pullet Grower is suitable from approximately 5–6 weeks through to point of lay at around 18–20 weeks. Check the directions of the particular starter and grower feed you are using, as recommended feeding ages can vary between products.
Q. How much chick starter and pullet grower feed does one chicken need?
As a general guide, allow approximately 2 to 2.5 kg of chick starter feed per chicken from day-old through to around 6–7 weeks of age.
After the chick starter stage, young layer chickens can be transitioned to a pullet grower feed until they reach point of lay, usually around 18–20 weeks of age. Allow approximately 6 to 7 kg of pullet grower feed per bird over this period.
This means you can expect to use approximately 8 to 9.5 kg of chick starter and pullet grower feed per chicken before transitioning to an adult layer feed. Actual consumption can vary depending on breed, size, environment and feed wastage.
Q. What is the difference between chick starter and pullet grower feed?
Chick starter is specifically formulated to provide young chicks with the nutrition they require during their rapid early growth stage.
Pullet grower is designed for the next stage of development, after chicks have finished their starter stage but before they reach point of lay. For layer chickens, the normal progression is chick starter, followed by pullet grower, and then adult layer feed.
Q. When should pullets change from grower feed to layer feed?
Pullets should generally remain on an appropriate grower feed until they approach point of lay. Depending on the breed and feed being used, this is commonly around 18–20 weeks of age.
Once hens reach the laying stage, they can be transitioned to an appropriate adult layer feed formulated for egg-producing chickens.
Q. Can chicks go straight from chick starter to layer feed?
For young layer chickens, it is generally better to use a pullet grower feed between the chick starter and adult layer stages.
Layer feed is formulated for mature laying hens and has a different nutritional balance from feed designed for growing chickens. A normal feeding program therefore progresses from chick starter to pullet grower and then to layer feed when the birds approach point of lay.
Q. Is chick starter crumble or mash better for baby chicks?
Both crumble and mash chick feeds can be suitable when they are specifically formulated as a complete chick starter feed.
Crumbles consist of small broken pieces that are easy for young chicks to pick up, while mash has a finer texture. The most important consideration is choosing a nutritionally complete feed that is suitable for the age and type of poultry being raised.
Q. Do chicks need grit when eating chick starter?
Chicks being fed only a nutritionally complete commercial chick starter generally do not require grit to digest the starter feed.
If other foods, treats or suitable forage are introduced, an appropriately sized insoluble chick grit may also be required to help the gizzard break down those foods.
