Best feed for mixed flock?

[Swissmiss989]

I had a flock of hens until recent. I just added a roo AND babys. Whats the best feed I can give for all of them? Doses anyone make their own?

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
I use Purina Flockraiser for my mixed flock.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Feed to needs of the younger chicks/pullets and offer oyster or egg shells to the laying hens for the calcium they need. We raised chicks again this year and when allowed to range together though in separate coops it's impossible to keep feed segregated. Put them all on starter then moved to grower feed until new pullets were 20 weeks (there about- when last bag of grower ran out) then all on layer pellets.

 

[Ridgerunner]

There are several different things you can feed a mixed age flock, Starter, Grower, Combined Starter/Grower, Developer, Flock Raiser, and I'm sure some I did not mention. Just don't feed Layer. The extra calcium can be bad for the growing chicks. Just offer oyster shell on the side so the hens that need the extra calcium can get it. The rest won't eat enough to do them any harm.

 

[R.M. Hens]

I use Purina FlockRaiser pellets. I have a mixed aged flock with 1 Roo. I also have Royal Palm turkeys that eat the same as everyone else. Before I moved my pullets with the rest of the flock, I fed Starter. When the bag was empty 7-8 weeks later, the babies got moved and started on FlockRaiser like everyone else. Everyone is very happy and very healthy. I also offer Oyster Shell in a small container on the side. It lasts for a very long time.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I also have a mixed age flock. I feed a non medicated grower with a supply of oyster shells on the side. I would wait until all hens are laying and then switch back to a layer feed. The little ones will not eat the oyster unless start laying and need it and the older birds will not be hurt by eating the grower if they have the oyster.

 

[gryeyes]

I prefer to use Nutrena All Flock and supplement with crushed oyster shell free choice (on the side) for the layers, much like what others have mentioned. I have some chicks & poults in a "youngster's coop" which are eating grower feed right now. However, the broody hens which hatch chicks just teach them how to eat and to forage from the Big Birds' All Flock. Once I open up the un-mothered youngsters' coop for them to join the flock, I won't put out grower feed any more.

Everybody not sequestered gets All Flock. The Big Birds include many different chicken breeds, a few turkeys, a pair of Toulouse geese, and a slew of ducks (25+ Cayugas and one Call drake).