appropriate feed combination

[agbowers832]

Hello, I went to my feed store the other day looking for grit and mash. I found grit for baby chicks, but when I asked for grit for adult chickens they looked at me like I was crazy. I bought the baby chick grit and have been giving it to my whole flock. Will that work? (I have 1 one month old baby chick and 2 maybe two month old baby chicks, 1 bantam rooster, 4 bantam hens, two big hens, and a turkey- inside the coop) Also, I asked them for chicken mash and, again, they looked at me like I was crazy and said they had scratch and starter grower. Then, she eventually said that they had layer mash. I bought the layer mash (purina) and I am wondering if it's ok to feed that to all the hens, even if they're not laying, and to the rooster, cause they are not separated. I have starter grower for the baby chicks, but how long am I supposed to feed that? so, currently, in my coop, I have- starter grower, chick grit, scratch, and layer mash. Will that work? Of course, I also give them scraps and excess fruits/veggies from the garden. thanks!!

Allison

 

[briteday]

If the little ones are separated from the older ones then I would feed the little guys starter and the older ones layer pellets. If all the birds share the same space then I would feed everyone starter / grower until the babies are 16-18 weeks old. Just be sure to have free feed oyster shell for your layers as grower feeds do not contain enough calcium for layers to form strong shells. The layer feed is not good for the babies as it contains too much calcium for their immature kidneys.

If you have availability to Purina products you might try FlockRaiser. Again you will need to provide oyster shell for your egglayers but it is a good alternative for mixed flocks.