Advice on food when future broiler becomes future layer

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Hi folks,

We've just been through a horrific 9 days as we evacuated 8 layer hens and 35 5-week-old Freedom Rangers (plus 3 kids, 2 dogs and a cat) from the Waldo Canyon Fire. During the evacuation, all the chickens were housed in my sister-in-law's garage in semi-suburban Evergreen. During that time, I tried to keep the layers on layer feed and the future broilers on broiler finisher, but it seemed that everyone preferred the other's food more than their own, and I really didn't have any good way to separate the flock in those circumstances.

Now we're home, still on pre-evacuation notice, with 33 of the 35 Freedom Rangers "fostered" with a very kind stranger who agreed to keep them until we can go for them.

We decided to keep 2 of the now 6-week-old pullets, hoping that they will be decent layers (hatchery claims they can be as long as I don't let them get too heavy). So, still have most of a bag of layer feed and kept a few days supply of broiler finisher, but since they are all eating each other's food, wondering what would be the ideal thing to feed the whole flock while the little ones continue to grow...back to chick grower with and oyster-shell side dish?

 

[HEChicken]

I would go back to the Flock Raiser or Chick Grower formula and put oyster shell out on the side for the layers. I wind up doing that every year after my Spring Chicks are integrated with the flock, until they are of laying age at which point I can switch back to layer pellets.

 

[Ridgerunner]

At 6 weeks they are too young for Layer. That extra calcium is dangerous for growing chicks. I think you know that. But I would not worry about what has happened. They have to eat extra calcium over a time period for it to have an effect. One bite won't kill them.

I've noticed the same thing with mine. They all seem to enjoy eating out of each others feeders, even if the feed is originally from the same bag.

I suggest you just go back to what you suggested. Grower for the combined laying hens and the two young pullets with the oyster shell on the side. That should accomplish what you want. Other than limiting the percent protein in their feed with the 16% Grower versus a higher protein feed like the 20% Flock Raiser, I don't know how you limit their feed without further isolating them. You could maybe look at a 15% Finisher. Your laying hens will do OK on that but your egg size might drop a little.

My sympathies on your problems. At least it sounds like you had a home to go back to. Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, power outages, wild fires, the list goes on. It's always something. All we can do is try to muddle through. I do wish you luck.

HEChicken, these two young pullets are Freedom Rangers. She wants to limit their protein. That's why I suggest against 20% Flock Raiser.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Thanks folks,

One thing on today's to-do list is to head down to the local feed store and see what they have available. Supplies in this area have been greatly disrupted by the fire, and my local feed store doesn't always have the range of product available that I'd like to see anyway (have to drive almost 45 minutes to get a really good selection) but I'll look for that "flock raiser" your were referring to or "chick grower" and put the layer feed away for the next few months. Fortunately have plenty of oyster shell available.

Poor little ones keep getting driven from the feeders, but I figure if I put out multiple feeders in various parts of the run, they should be able to get a quick bite from time to time.

 

[HEChicken]

HEChicken, these two young pullets are Freedom Rangers. She wants to limit their protein. That's why I suggest against 20% Flock Raiser.

I did know they were Freedom Rangers but didn't realize Flock Raiser had so much higher a protein content. I think of it as the equivalent of Grower formula - just the Purina name brand. I'll have to pay more attention to that. I tend to get whatever I have a coupon for at the time so sometimes they are on Flock Raiser, sometimes on DuMor, and sometimes on the Nutrena All Flock, which I believe is about 18%. I don't think I've ever seen a "finisher" in my area. Typically all we have are Layer, Grower and Chick Starter.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yeah, you have to go with what is available. There are several things that are not available to me, like the 16% Grower. My choices are usually either 20% Combined Starter/Grower, 15% Grower/Finisher, or 16% Layer. Generally I don't think it makes a whole lot of difference other than the calcium, though I like a higher percent protein the first four or five weeks. Once they are out of the brooder mine get grass and weeds, grass and weed seeds, and various creepy crawlies anyway so the feed is less important.