Can i feed layer pellets to everyone?

[Egg_cited]

I just moved all my cockerals and pullets that are above 18 weeks old on layer pellets. Was that a big mistake? I have two leghorns in there and I read that with to much protein they can get eggbound? The starter I used has 20% protein in it. The layer has 16%.
I wanted only organic feed and couldn't find flock raiser that was. I was wondering if feeding starter would be the same. Now I'm stuck I don't know what to feed them the protein in the starter would be much to much for the leghorns. Even though I give them oyster shells on the side i just don't want them eating all that protein and getting eggbound. On the other hand I keep my birds as pets and want them to live long healthy lives and feeding them layer isn't good for there overall health.

 

[Brooks_]

For intents and purposes of this, starter would be the same as all flock. I have not heard of the high protein issue with leghorns. I am not inclined to think that 20% would be the level to cause issue. I would be more concerned about the calcium levels in layer and what it will do to non-layers over protein percent. Perhaps you can find and 18% organic starter and offer oyster shell on the side. With that you will have peace of mind and the birds will have a proper ration.

 

[NatJ]

Adding to that I was wondering mabey I could actually mix the food? So everyone could get what they need?

If you mix crumbles and pellets they will probably throw one size out of the feeder and just eat the other size. But if the foods are both crumbles, or both pellets, it will probably work well enough.

You could offer both kinds of food in separate feeders, and the chickens will soon tell you which one they like better (helpful if you want to know, not helpful if you want to use up both kinds at an even rate.)

 

[Brooks_]

It won't hurt if I keep on using this food till I find the right one right?

Assuming you mean a bag or two, then it likely won't cause long term issue. Calcium toxicity is a cumulative thing.

 

[Brooks_]

And would it be okay to mix the feed until I find the right one?

Mixing until the right feed would be better.

 

[Egg_cited]

If you mix crumbles and pellets they will probably throw one size out of the feeder and just eat the other size. But if the foods are both crumbles, or both pellets, it will probably work well enough.

You could offer both kinds of food in separate feeders, and the chickens will soon tell you which one they like better (helpful if you want to know, not helpful if you want to use up both kinds at an even rate.)

They are both crumbles

 

[nuthatched]

Where on earth did you read that too high of protein causes egg binding? And what was the reasoning?

 

[Tennessee Great Granny]

I just moved all my cockerals and pullets that are above 18 weeks old on layer pellets. Was that a big mistake? I have two leghorns in there and I read that with to much protein they can get eggbound? The starter I used has 20% protein in it. The layer has 16%.
I wanted only organic feed and couldn't find flock raiser that was. I was wondering if feeding starter would be the same. Now I'm stuck I don't know what to feed them the protein in the starter would be much to much for the leghorns. Even though I give them oyster shells on the side i just don't want them eating all that protein and getting eggbound. On the other hand I keep my birds as pets and want them to live long healthy lives and feeding them layer isn't good for there overall health.

Males shouldn't eat layer pellets. Mixing the layer pellets with regular feed won't be enough calcium for the egg layers and too much calcium for the males. While my females do munch of the roo's food, he doesn't prefer to eat their layer feed. Its like he knows it's not good for him. But fresh veg scraps he's all over it and just loves it. He'll snatch and run away with nice veg to eat in private. I have oyster shell grit for the gals which the roo instinctively avoids and I have granite grit for the roo. The gals will also consumes the granite grit as well as the oyster shell grit. I have never dealt with an egg bound chicken but after dealing with a very early case of vent gleet that responded quickly I think I could manage egg bound... thank heaven! I watched a British guy treat it and examined closely what he used and how he did it. [I think it was youtube, but it was very graphic on how to which is what this retired healthcare practitioner needs to learn] I made some modifications such as bathing the chicken in epsoms salts (the mineral magnesium helps muscles relax) and using a tote as a tub so I could dump outside instead of down my sink. I often give my gals a treat of black soldier fly larva. They are high protein and they never got egg bound. Once one has gotten used to checking a chicken's vent for egg bound or applying medication inside of a vent with a well gloved hand it's easier to do. Plenty of videos on how to help a chicken out. BTW one word of warning when checking a chicken's vent- count on that it stimulates them to produce some of that free fertilizer we were all told we'd get raising chickens. Free??? Nothing is free, not even our eggs, but fresh eggs...so yum. So if your chicken is ever struggling to pop out an egg, stand off to one side and be sure to use KY jelly on that glove.

 

[Egg_cited]

Adding to that I was wondering mabey I could actually mix the food? So everyone could get what they need?

 

[Egg_cited]

For intents and purposes of this, starter would be the same as all flock. I have not heard of the high protein issue with leghorns. I am not inclined to think that 20% would be the level to cause issue. I would be more concerned about the calcium levels in layer and what it will do to non-layers over protein percent. Perhaps you can find and 18% organic starter and offer oyster shell on the side. With that you will have peace of mind and the birds will have a proper ration.

It won't hurt if I keep on using this food till I find the right one right?