Bringing in new babies- food switch?

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

I was thinking this morning, and I realized I am totally unprepared for this:


My 2 new EE chicks are 2 weeks old, but when they are around 6 weeks old and have their plumage they will go live in the big coop. But how do I keep them from eating the layer crumbles? Or can they eat layer crumbles at 6 weeks, even though they're not laying? And also, how do I keep the big chickens away from the chick feed?

 

[faykokoWV]

lots of different schools of thought on this. When I have young birds in with the older ones I switch everyone over to a regular feed and put a big bowl of Oyster shell out for the hens. I like Purina Flock Raiser or a starter grower of any brand. You might loose a little on the yolk color for your layers as these don't have the marigold in them.

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

Thanks

I'll feed the big ones layer crumbles by hand, too.