Can mother hen be fed on growers pellets?

[PebbleEggs]

Our mother hen is not quite ready to let her babies go it alone, but they're approaching eight weeks and we're getting ready to switch to growers pellets from chick crumb. Is it alright for mother hen to eat a diet of mostly growers pellets too?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Absolutely - especially if she has not yet begun to lay as she has no need for the extra calcium offered by a layer ration (and if she *is* laying you can provide her with oyster shell for that calcium). Many folks never feed layer ration as it is just easier for mixed flock situations (gender mix, age mix, hens who are not currently laying due to age, molt, etc) - feeding a grower ration offers a higher protein content in the diet and the calcium needs of those birds who are actively laying can be met with oyster shell.

 

[donrae]

Absolutely - especially if she has not yet begun to lay as she has no need for the extra calcium offered by a layer ration (and if she *is* laying you can provide her with oyster shell for that calcium). Many folks never feed layer ration as it is just easier for mixed flock situations (gender mix, age mix, hens who are not currently laying due to age, molt, etc) - feeding a grower ration offers a higher protein content in the diet and the calcium needs of those birds who are actively laying can be met with oyster shell.

Just what I would have said!

 

[PebbleEggs]

Great thanks a lot. It has been tricky keeping everyone away from the wrong food types.