Can my 8 week olds eat layer food?

[0die]

best thing to do with an assortment of birds is to probably feed "all flock" to everyone and put oyster shell on the side for your layers.

Problems solved.

 

[Mamatomany123]

best thing to do with an assortment of birds is to probably feed "all flock" to everyone and put oyster shell on the side for your layers.

Problems solved.

Exactly. This is what I do. I currently have 7 laying hens, 3 laying pullets, 4 11 week olds and 4 2 week olds. We just buy all flock and have oyster shells in an old planter hanging next to the food. The girls pick at it when they need it I have never fed layer feed. All flock is the easiest route to go because you will have some chickens who are molting while others arent, some who stop laying in winter while others dont, chicks at different ages, ect.

 

[0die]

All Flock is hard to come by at TSC right now...sometimes I have to blend grower and layer...whatever works...

but feed is hard to come by it seems...lots of unexpected newcomers to the life...

 

[Mamatomany123]

All Flock is hard to come by at TSC right now...sometimes I have to blend grower and layer...whatever works...

but feed is hard to come by it seems...lots of unexpected newcomers to the life...

Hmmm, may depend where you live. Where I am they dont seem to have a shortage. I actually just got 2 50lb bags of the crumble on sale for $10.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Hello, I have 5 8 week old chicks and since day one i have fed them layer food. They are 8 weeks old but they are not very big. I wondered if I need to provide more protein for them (sunflower seeds). Anyone know? Thank you!

They can eat it, they will eat it, but it is NOT good for their long-term health. Layer feed should only be offered to LAYING hens.
If your flock contains birds that are not laying (such as these babies), then your best option is to offer 'all flock' feed in a formula suitable for your birds and have calcium supplementation on the side, typically oyster shell and/or ground/pulverized eggshell, but could include treats of DARK leafy produce like kale or spinach.
While sunflower seeds are a nice protein boost, they too are a heavy caloric boost. Fat birds tend to have reproductive malfunctions, often proving fatal. Sunflower seeds are an excellent TREAT, but shouldn't be an everyday 'on the menu' item. For variety you can offer TREATS of sardines and other meat scraps from your kitchen for a protein boost that's not as heavy in fat as sunflower seeds.
Switching their feed to an 'all flock' formula tends to cure your low-protein issues too, as it is often 2 to 3% higher in protein than 'layer' formulations.

Your message didn't mention what species of chick you have so I tried to reply to your question in a 'birds in general' manner.

The image posted on your account is of a duckling, which only adds one more factor to my response. If indeed the chicks you're referring to are ducklings, then they will require feed specifically for ducks or game birds as their protein needs are significantly higher than chickens to accommodate the different amino-acid profile that their species requires.

Feeding them species and age appropriate foods will greatly improve their health and longevity, often resulting in far less work, cost and even heartbreak over the long run.