All flock of layer feed?

[Mcook512]

I have a set of 29 week olds and a set of 19 week olds. Last month, I switched from starter/grower to all flock. It’s time to buy more feed. Do I stick with all flock? Or are the babies (and 1 older EE freeloader) still too young for layer feed? I do keep a separate bowl of oyster shell in the run. Google says they can start laying around 20 weeks, but with the shorter days, I’m not expecting them to until spring. Pic of the babies (salmon faverolle, speckled Sussex, and brown Leghorn who was bought as a day old Welsummer)

 

[trumpeting_angel]

They will be fine on All Flock with oyster shell on the side. If the youngn’s don’t start to lay, the layer feed will be too high in calcium for their kidneys.

They are adorable!

 

[Mcook512]

They will be fine on All Flock with oyster shell on the side. If the youngn’s don’t start to lay, the layer feed will be too high in calcium for their kidneys.

They are adorable!

That’s kind of what I was thinking. Just wait until all the girls are laying then switch. Of course by then, I may have more babies...

 

[Relleoms]

I feed flockraiser year round (regardless of age or sex) with oyster shell on the side. I like to keep it simple!

 

[Timothy Menezes]

I've done both, and would say your probably fine either way. I have never had any issues with calcium killing the livers of my birds, or my friends birds. But I have had some layers that had issues making eggshells with calcium served on the side.

I assume those particular birds just didn't get the memo that there were supposed to snack on the little white rocks as needed lol.

I have 2 feeders out anyways to provide ample opportunity for all to eat without being chased off by bully's an such like. So I just put layer in one, and grower/shower, etc (whatever is on sale) in the other an let them figure it out.

Whatever you do, don't fret, chickens have been surviving off human scraps and leftovers for century's. Complete and balanced feed is a welcome, but very recent invention.

 

[Mcook512]

I've done both, and would say your probably fine either way. I have never had any issues with calcium killing the livers of my birds, or my friends birds. But I have had some layers that had issues making eggshells with calcium served on the side.

I assume those particular birds just didn't get the memo that there were supposed to snack on the little white rocks as needed lol.

I have 2 feeders out anyways to provide ample opportunity for all to eat without being chased off by bully's an such like. So I just put layer in one, and grower/shower, etc (whatever is on sale) in the other an let them figure it out.

Whatever you do, don't fret, chickens have been surviving off human scraps and leftovers for century's. Complete and balanced feed is a welcome, but very recent invention.

I have had couple soft shell eggs, but they were both within the first week of a new layer laying eggs. Haven’t had one in months. Apparently it isn’t uncommon for a new layer to have some unusual eggs. They were on starter/grower feed, it I did have oyster shell available as well.

 

[DiYMama540]

Yep, new layers will lay soft shells, double yolks, fairy eggs...all sorts of fun surprises!

I'm with the other posters that suggest staying with all flock, and OS or even egg shells will work, on the side. Keep it simple!