Baby Ameraucanas

[Lee Nelson]

I have 2 1/2 week female Ameraucanas. I want to put them in the coop with my pullets. Can they be fed the chicken layer feed now? The bag says on the starter chix feed that it is 18% and the layer feed is 16%. Would feeding them 16% be harmful for the baby chicks?

 

[Folly's place]

Layer feed is meant for birds actively laying eggs, and nobody else!!!
For a single feed choice, a grower or all flock feed is the answer, with oyster shell in a separate container for the laying hens.
Mary

 

[chkva]

The calcium in layer feed is too much for chicks that are growing. Only laying hens should get layer feed. I'd get flock raiser by Purina and supplement calcium if you have laying hens.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Your hens will be fine (happy even) to eat the chick starter or an all flock type feed which is appropriate for all ages. Oyster shell on the side will provide the calcium the layers need.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

As noted, layer is not appropriate for the chicks. How old are the pullets you want to integrate the chicks with? Are you able to section an area to keep the chicks safe during integration? Are you able to provide appropriate temps for the chicks in the coop?

 

[Lee Nelson]

Layer feed is meant for birds actively laying eggs, and nobody else!!!
For a single feed choice, a grower or all flock feed is the answer, with oyster shell in a separate container for the laying hens.
Mary

As noted, layer is not appropriate for the chicks. How old are the pullets you want to integrate the chicks with? Are you able to section an area to keep the chicks safe during integration? Are you able to provide appropriate temps for the chicks in the coop?

pullets are 7 months old. I am not able to section off part of the coop which is why they are in a run in our outbuilding. No need for heating right now. They don't even sit under their warmer light anymore.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Turn off the light and put it away. Give everyone the chick starter food that you currently have, it's fine for the hens that are laying. Then get "All Flock" feed. Chicks don't need the extra calcium in layer feed for a long time! I have switched to All Flock feed as I have 4 different ages together along with roosters. Once your littles grow up you can always buy more layer feed. Integrate by free ranging all of them together if you can and they should be fine. The smaller the chicken the better when integrating. The laying chickens will not see the chicks as a threat the smaller they are. Good Luck, I know you will do fine!

 

[Lee Nelson]

I don't know that Fleet Farm sells All Flock feed, but I will check it out and follow your recommendations. I plan on putting the calcium/grit in a separate container, but I have not had good luck with that. It quickly gets covered up with the pine shavings. Any ideas on how to present the calcium/grit? Thanks!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I don't know that Fleet Farm sells All Flock feed, but I will check it out and follow your recommendations. I plan on putting the calcium/grit in a separate container, but I have not had good luck with that. It quickly gets covered up with the pine shavings. Any ideas on how to present the calcium/grit? Thanks!

Grower, all flock, flock raiser, etc....any non calcium fortified(layer) on the 18-20% range.......there are lots of names used by various feed companies. Essentially looking for under 1.5% calcium (layer feeds run 3-4)

 

[Acre4Me]

I don't know that Fleet Farm sells All Flock feed, but I will check it out and follow your recommendations. I plan on putting the calcium/grit in a separate container, but I have not had good luck with that. It quickly gets covered up with the pine shavings. Any ideas on how to present the calcium/grit? Thanks!

Non-medicated grower feed is perfectly fine their whole life. Need calcium, of course, in form of oyster shell. You can even feed them back their eggs shells if you aren’t doing anything else with them (like using in the garden or compost). But, break up the shells before giving them to the chickens. For OS, we put it into one of those chick feeders (plastic jar screws onto base with holes), and elevate it on blocks. We’ve tried a smaller open container, but they just made a mess. Can use a feeder made for rabbit pellets and can hang on side of rabbit cage -just get the one with a solid bottom (rather than mesh). You could attach that style any number of ways to a stud on the chicken coop.