Can I switch from Layer feed to Flock Raiser Feed?

[Suzy P]

I have a mix of different ages of chickens: two laying hens, one pullet 9 weeks old, one pullet 12 weeks old. We want to put them all together since today they were free ranging side by side pullets and hens without any conflict! We are going on vacation right when the pullets reach age 16 weeks & 19 weeks. But after reading today that you do not give layer feed until the pullets are laying and it being different ages for pullets that start to lay, then I read where some folks only feed flock raiser feed to all of their chickens, even those laying and add some oyster shell for the laying hens.
I do however have a brand new bag of Layer feed that I have only fed my hens out of once. And it's in a brand new metal trash can still in the feeder bag and fresh. I will put that on here for sale if I switch over.
Please weigh in on your expertise on chicken feed and mixed ages chickens!

 

[H-B-O]

I give my 6 week olds Layer feed. They are fine to go in with the older ones without you having to switch the food

 

[tripletfeb]

All flock feed is your best bet. Oyster shell on the side for any of your layers

 

[AntiqueB]

I use grower for everyone over 8 weeks, with oyster shell on the side. My layers also enjoy a nice snack of starter when I have some left over, or even as a treat. With oyster shell on the side, each gets exactly what she needs.

 

[TheAlrightyGina]

I use flock raiser for all of my birds, with either dried egg shells or oyster shell free choice for the layers. However, I doubt you'd have issues just finishing that bag of layer feed before making the switch if you decide to do that.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

So, if you look at my Sig (below), you can see my flock. For the typical backyard owner of a mixed age and/or mixed gender flock, the combination of "All Flock" "Flock Raiser" etc with free choice oyster shell provides the easiest and most nutritionally complete feed management practice for their birds.

There are a laundry list of reasons, which I would be happy to address if there is interest that i do so. But it will be a long post, and I'm busy working outside today, so I'd rather address specific questions than try and cover all the likely possibilities. I've not crafted a "cut and paste" answer to this frequently asked question. (yet?)

 

[BrickCoop15]

I have a mixed age flock and always feed them either Flock Raiser or chick starter. I offer oyster shell in a separate feeder. It is the best way to meet the dietary needs of a mixed age flock.. Young pullets that have not yet reached point of lay should not have the amount of calcium that is found in layer feeds.

 

[cmom]

You can mix the layer with the Flock Raiser or All Flock. It won't hurt them. I have done that in the past. I also mix any chick starter/grower in with the All Flock when I switch them over. I've never had any issues. I use All Flock. It is a little higher in protein and some of my Leghorns recently started to molt and their feathers are primarily made of protein. I have different ages of birds so they all get it. I do give my birds seed and grains as treats so I add some oyster shells for calcium and granite grit for the seed and grains in their feeders and since birds don't have teeth, it goes into the gizzards to grind the treats up. I know some people will disagree with my method but it works well for me and the birds take what they want. Good luck...

 

[U_Stormcrow]

and the short form, before I head back out in the heat, is this...

"Layer Feed" has been scientifically formulated to meet the MINIMUM dietary needs of commercial hybrid laying breeds, under commercial management practice, during their commercially productive lifespan (about 18-20 months +/-, typically). It is a low protein (because protein is expensive), high calcium (to support prolific egg laying) formulation intended for RSL, BSL, and similar hybrid layers sharing the following characteristics:

1) Early Onset of Lay
2) Large eggs relative to body size
3) High Frequency of Lay

All that calcium comes at a cost, however. Excess calcium builds up in a chicken, contributing to kidney damage as well as damage to other organs, which is likely, but not guaranteed, to affect lifespan and quality of life. As with any situation where "the dosage is the poison", the length of time before the excess calcium intake is balanced by egg production, as well as the amount of calcium intake daily have an effect, as does variations within individual chickens. Its like smoking - no individual cigarette is guaranteed to give you cancer, but its a statistical certainty that the more you smoke, and the longer you smoke, the more likely you are to develop a cancer attributed to your smoking.

Excess calcium is bad for ALL birds. It is worst for Roosters, who never develop a way to excrete extra calcium - they never lay eggs, their kidneys become increasingly damaged with time. They can also develop gout, intestinal problems, lesions, renal failure, etc. Its also bad for pullets before start of lay - and if your pullets are Dark Brahma, or another breed that goes six or seven months before start of lay (rather than the 4-5 months for commercial breeders like Golden Comets) that a long time for calcium to accumulate. If your hens don't drop eggs almost every day (most don't), again, calcium will begin to accumulate, at risk to long term health.

The flip side, is a shortage of protein. Protein is expensive, which is why the bare minimum appears in Layer feed. But protein is very important for the development of new birds, particularly the first 12-18 weeks. Protein assists weight gain, muscle and feather development (which is why many - myself included - recommend higher protein feeds during molting even for those raising nothing but laying age commercial egg producers who plan to keep their hens thru their first molt - factory layers become dog food, etc around that point, often as not). Birds which don't get enough protein will try and eat more, increasing their calcium uptake... Certain breeds need a lot of protein, either due to large body size, heavy feathering (winter hardy breeds), or an "excess" of attractive, but not necessarily practical, feathering.

Unlike calcium, "too much" protein is not a danger to your birds (unless you have ducks, then protein over 24% is associated with higher incidence of "Angel Wing"). Indeed, it generally benefits them in better overall form/body condition, increased early weight gain, and lessened duration and apparent severity of molting. So it really comes down to expense. Typically, the cost of an all flock or flock raiser blend is $1.50 to $2 more than a similar layer feed from the same product line and manufacturer per 40# or 50# bag. Free choice oyster shell, so that your active layers can get as much as they feel they need, but not more, will likely add $7-10 a year for you, given your flock size. One small bag.

The longer form of the above includes additional details, links. I hope you find it useful.

 

[Suzy P]

and the short form, before I head back out in the heat, is this...

"Layer Feed" has been scientifically formulated to meet the MINIMUM dietary needs of commercial hybrid laying breeds, under commercial management practice, during their commercially productive lifespan (about 18-20 months +/-, typically). It is a low protein (because protein is expensive), high calcium (to support prolific egg laying) formulation intended for RSL, BSL, and similar hybrid layers sharing the following characteristics:

1) Early Onset of Lay
2) Large eggs relative to body size
3) High Frequency of Lay

All that calcium comes at a cost, however. Excess calcium builds up in a chicken, contributing to kidney damage as well as damage to other organs, which is likely, but not guaranteed, to affect lifespan and quality of life. As with any situation where "the dosage is the poison", the length of time before the excess calcium intake is balanced by egg production, as well as the amount of calcium intake daily have an effect, as does variations within individual chickens. Its like smoking - no individual cigarette is guaranteed to give you cancer, but its a statistical certainty that the more you smoke, and the longer you smoke, the more likely you are to develop a cancer attributed to your smoking.

Excess calcium is bad for ALL birds. It is worst for Roosters, who never develop a way to excrete extra calcium - they never lay eggs, their kidneys become increasingly damaged with time. They can also develop gout, intestinal problems, lesions, renal failure, etc. Its also bad for pullets before start of lay - and if your pullets are Dark Brahma, or another breed that goes six or seven months before start of lay (rather than the 4-5 months for commercial breeders like Golden Comets) that a long time for calcium to accumulate. If your hens don't drop eggs almost every day (most don't), again, calcium will begin to accumulate, at risk to long term health.

The flip side, is a shortage of protein. Protein is expensive, which is why the bare minimum appears in Layer feed. But protein is very important for the development of new birds, particularly the first 12-18 weeks. Protein assists weight gain, muscle and feather development (which is why many - myself included - recommend higher protein feeds during molting even for those raising nothing but laying age commercial egg producers who plan to keep their hens thru their first molt - factory layers become dog food, etc around that point, often as not). Birds which don't get enough protein will try and eat more, increasing their calcium uptake... Certain breeds need a lot of protein, either due to large body size, heavy feathering (winter hardy breeds), or an "excess" of attractive, but not necessarily practical, feathering.

Unlike calcium, "too much" protein is not a danger to your birds (unless you have ducks, then protein over 24% is associated with higher incidence of "Angel Wing"). Indeed, it generally benefits them in better overall form/body condition, increased early weight gain, and lessened duration and apparent severity of molting. So it really comes down to expense. Typically, the cost of an all flock or flock raiser blend is $1.50 to $2 more than a similar layer feed from the same product line and manufacturer per 40# or 50# bag. Free choice oyster shell, so that your active layers can get as much as they feel they need, but not more, will likely add $7-10 a year for you, given your flock size. One small bag.

The longer form of the above includes additional details, links. I hope you find it useful.

This helped on my decision on the switch.
This why I wanted info on layer feed verses flock raiser feed:

I have a mix of different ages of chickens: two laying hens, one pullet 9 weeks old, one pullet 12 weeks old. We want to put them all together since today they were free ranging side by side pullets and hens without any conflict! We are going on vacation right when the pullets reach age 16 weeks & 19 weeks. But after reading today that you do not give layer feed until the pullets are laying and it being different ages for pullets that start to lay, then I read where some folks only feed flock raiser feed to all of their chickens, even those laying and add some oyster shell for the laying hens.
I do however have a brand new bag of Layer feed that I have only fed my hens out of once. And it's in a brand new metal trash can still in the feeder bag and fresh. I will put that on here for sale if I switch over. Pic is what is available to me.