Can my 8 week olds eat layer food?

[Sheshe1010]

No. No. No. Chicks under laying age SHOULD NOT be fed layer feed. It doesn’t go right past their digestive tracks, it gets absorbed like it normally does. Switch your whole flock to starter/grower if you are going to put young chickens in.

I am going to check out RobertPlamondon’s sources that he sited. I stopped believing everything I read on websites and especially on the back of products when I watched my broody hen hatch and raise her own chicks. I realized that all the precautions we are told to take with chicks, mama hen blew right through. I think it’s possible that we baby our baby chicks too much. Of course I will be safe and do my research.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

I am going to check out RobertPlamondon’s sources that he sited. I stopped believing everything I read on websites and especially on the back of products when I watched my broody hen hatch and raise her own chicks. I realized that all the precautions we are told to take with chicks, mama hen blew right through. I think it’s possible that we baby our baby chicks too much. Of course I will be safe and do my research.

That’s how I came across my conclusion, by doing research independently. The excess calcium and low protein levels in layer feed aren’t right for baby chicks.

 

[Sheshe1010]

That’s how I came across my conclusion, by doing research independently. The excess calcium and low protein levels in layer feed aren’t right for baby chicks.

Great! Now it would be irresponsible of me not to do my own research, independent of yours of course I surely will. Thank you for your input.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

Great! Now it would be irresponsible of me not to do my own research, independent of yours of course I surely will. Thank you for your input.

No problem. When doing research, make sure to use modern sources and, most importantly, use reputable sources.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Robert for the win! And just in time because I would like to put my 9 week old chickens in with the layers and have them all on layer pellets.

Please don’t. You are endangering your birds. Layer feed isn’t good for nine week olds!
I literally had to beg, cry and explain for half an hour to my parents why we couldn’t get the cheap layer pellets for our day old chicks. My parents meant well, but they couldn’t see past ‘chicken food.’

 

[The Backyard Bantams]

Excess calcium is VERY bad if a chicken is not laying!

0-8 weeks - chick starter + non-calcium grit
8-22 weeks or POL - grower + non-calcium grit
POL onwards - layer pellets or allflock with oyster shell. Shell grit should be provided if possible.

Technically you don’t need to feed grit unless they are having scraps, but I would reccomend it.

 

[Chickassan]

Agree, chickens got being a top notch incubator, teacher and babysitter down if the hen is decent we can't compete.
Lordy seeing an individual set on research to make an informed choice never ceases to be a beautiful thing around here.

I am going to check out RobertPlamondon’s sources that he sited. I stopped believing everything I read on websites and especially on the back of products when I watched my broody hen hatch and raise her own chicks. I realized that all the precautions we are told to take with chicks, mama hen blew right through. I think it’s possible that we baby our baby chicks too much. Of course I will be safe and do my research.

 

[Sheshe1010]

Agree, chickens got being a top notch incubator, teacher and babysitter down if the hen is decent we can't compete.
Lordy seeing an individual set on research to make an informed choice never ceases to be a beautiful thing around here.

The hen is best mama for sure ! I didn’t have to do a thing for the babies she even introduced them to the flock at 3 weeks and kicked every chickens butt who wanted to mess with them!
Thanks for supporting my train of thought

 

[Kiki]

I am going to check out RobertPlamondon’s sources that he sited. I stopped believing everything I read on websites and especially on the back of products when I watched my broody hen hatch and raise her own chicks. I realized that all the precautions we are told to take with chicks, mama hen blew right through. I think it’s possible that we baby our baby chicks too much. Of course I will be safe and do my research.

Here...check this book out...my all time favorite poultry book.

This is actual used by major feed companies to formulate commercially made feeds.


https://www.nap.edu/read/2114/chapter/1

 

[Chickassan]

Anytime! People who realise spoon feeding exsists,only to thrill the spoons are too rare not to support.

The hen is best mama for sure ! I didn’t have to do a thing for the babies she even introduced them to the flock at 3 weeks and kicked every chickens butt who wanted to mess with them!
Thanks for supporting my train of thought❤