A few questions. Chicks are moving to the coop.

[Ladybug2001]

Four questions.

Is it okay for roosters to eat oyster shells?
Is it okay for my older hens to eat my younger chicks feed?
Is it okay for my younger chicks to eat my older hens feed?
Do roosters ate a different feed?

 

[Ladybug2001]

Eat not ate

 

[ChickensRDinos]

It NOT good for your young birds to eat layer feed. This is the most important. Layer feed is just chicken feed that has a higher amount of calcium and in general a lower protein. It is not great for roosters but not as bad as it is for young birds.

If you have a mixed flock it is best to get a grower feed. (I personally feed a 20% protein grower to all of my birds at all ages). Then add a bowl of oyster shell on the side. Your roosters may eat some and it's fine. The do need calcium just not as much as a laying hen. When the calcium source is on the side the birds will only eat as needed.

 

[Ladybug2001]

Thanks

 

[countrygirl74]

It NOT good for your young birds to eat layer feed. This is the most important. Layer feed is just chicken feed that has a higher amount of calcium and in general a lower protein. It is not great for roosters but not as bad as it is for young birds.

If you have a mixed flock it is best to get a grower feed. (I personally feed a 20% protein grower to all of my birds at all ages). Then add a bowl of oyster shell on the side. Your roosters may eat some and it's fine. The do need calcium just not as much as a laying hen. When the calcium source is on the side the birds will only eat as needed.

X2 - if you have roosters and different ages, always best to just use a grower feed and provide oyster shell on the side. Layer isn't necessary.

 

[Ladybug2001]

How could i make sure they eat the grower?

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I am not sure I understand what you are asking? If grower is the only feed available they will all eat it.

 

[Ladybug2001]

I not sure how to word this, but I'll try. Rig now I can have just grower feed. But when incomes time for my hens to need layer, will it be fine for him to eat layer feed?

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Birds don't ever NEED to have layer. If you have a flock of ALL laying hens then it is fine to feed a layer feed. If you have a flock with young birds, or a roo, or any non laying birds or molting birds, etc then it is better to feed a grower, non medicated starter or flock raiser with a calcium source of the side.

While your flock has young birds feed a grower to everyone. If you get the point where you once again have only laying hens then you can choose to switch back to a layer or just stay with a grower + calcium. Either is fine.

 

[Kansaschicken]

When we were allowed to have roosters the eat the layer crumbles like the hens. It didn't hurt them, and the oyster shell they will only eat if they need the calcium. As far as chicks eating the layer feed i wait until mine were ready to join the big girls..