11-week & 22-week-old chicks--which feed?

[sarahandbray]

We have been feeding our 11-week-old chicks as per the directions off the back of the Du-Mor bag at TSC. They just moved off of Grower/Starter to whatever the second step is this week (Grower/Finisher?).
Because I'm terribly impatient, I found 10 pullets of 20 & 22 weeks that we successfully introduced to the flock.
What should I feed them all? The new girls are White Leghorn and Golden Comet and they just started laying. Should I move the whole flock up to "Layer" or keep them all on the "Finisher?"
I have 45 chickens total.
I did add Oyster Shells to the hopper next to the grit, so they have access to that.
Thanks!
And here's just a couple of pics for good measure...VERY pleased with the Golden Comets size and eggs...but being 22-weeks, they've been a bit bullyish to my younger ones...I'm sure they'll work it out.

 

[sarahandbray]

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Layer feed is not appropriate for any bird not actively laying - the extra calcium afforded the laying hen from this feed causes renal damage in birds who are not excreting the calcium by shelling eggs. Feed the flock a grower feed and offer free choice calcium (ie oyster shell) in a separate dish for those birds that are laying and will need it.

 

[sarahandbray]

Perfect! Thank you--I'll continue with the feed I just switched them to this week. Oyster shell is already out and available for them, so this should be ok, right?

 

[sarahandbray]

Will the percentage of protein in the finisher/grower feed be too high for the laying hens? I really don't have any way of separating the just-laying hens from the 11-week-old chicks.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Will the percentage of protein in the finisher/grower feed be too high for the laying hens? I really don't have any way of separating the just-laying hens from the 11-week-old chicks.

Not at all - in fact there are benefits to be had from using the higher protein feed which is why so many folks choose it over a layer ration.