Can I feed grower feed to newly laying pullets?

[Nicole01]

I'm not really sure what to do here. My chicks ages range 11-17 weeks this week and I'm pretty sure two pullets will start laying soon. They have red combs and face.

I really worry about the young ones eating layer feed since they all eat together. It's nearly impossible to feed the 3 older chicks seperate. Will it be harmful if they eat grower for a month or so while their laying? I'm just switching off of medicated and into grower in a few days when the medicated starter runs out. I do know the young ones can not have layer yet due to potential health problems from too much calcium.

Thanks.

 

[gritsar]

Sure they can eat the grower, just offer some oyster shell on the side for any pullets that are about to start laying/have started and are needing the calcium.

OR

Ask at the feedstore for a flockraiser type feed. It would be appropriate for everyone, with OS on the side for laying hens. It's what I feed to all my chickens, from the 9 week old chicks (since hatch) on up to my 3+ year old hens.

 

[Nicole01]

Quote:
Great! Thanks. We will get the flock raiser.

 

[triplepurpose]

Quote:
I'd definitely go with flock raiser if you can get it, that's exactly what it's for.

But I also wanted to add, it's my opinion that in practice, for home flocks especially, the "dangers" of young birds eating layer are exaggerated. Right now I'm feeding my mama hen and two babies some layer crumbles, because it's the only organic feed I can find right now (they also get vegetables, scraps, azolla, fruit, insects, etc) I would prefer all-purpose (or flock raiser), but that wasn't available organically when I was at the feed store, and I think the effects of introducing a non-organic feed containing GMO soy and corn (with their disastrous environmental footprint and unknown health effects) or un-traceable slaughterhouse by-products from foreign markets (inhumane practices? no accountability?) are more of concern than a little extra calcium.