Another feed question

[UrbanEgg]

So I read the thread "how long on starter?" and still have a question. My chicks are 10+ weeks and I put them outside because they were too big for the brooder, but I had to do a makeshift job of seperating my run for them and building a temporary housing because I have a few grown chickens as well. I did this for a few reasons...1, to get them used to seeing each other and 2 to keep them eating thier own foods (layer and starter/grower). So it really would be nice to put them all togehter sooner and I saw that many start thier chicks on layer at 16 weeks? I had heard the the layer can damage kidneys if started too early? Is this so, or could I just wait another 6 weeks and open up the fences and let them all eat layer? The chicks are nearly as big as the chickens now.

Thanks!

 

[Judy]

I'd put them all on grower or starter/grower and offer separate oyster shell free choice.

 

[cmom]

I don't offer them oyster shells until they start laying (after I got my first egg). It is true The nutrients in Starter/Grower are for the optium nutrition that the chicks need for good and healthy growth. I started feeding mine Layer at 17 weeks as that when when I got my first egg. I did mix the left over Starter/Grower with the layer and there didn't seem to be any problems and my birds are doing fine.