Can my older chicks stay on grower feed longer?

[atterac]

Hello,

I have 2 sets of chicks. First batch is about 7-8 weeks old & 2nd batch is 2 weeks old. They will remain separate until the babies are big enough to handle themselves in the coop with the older babies. I've read that typically chicks should start layer feed at 20 weeks, but since I'm hoping to integrate the two groups at some point this summer, can they all stay on grower feed until the younger ones hit 20 weeks? That will mean my older chicks will stay on grower until they are 27-28 weeks old.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If it were me, I would integrate them now as long as the coop is big enough for them to run away from each other. If you wait till the pecking order is firmly established, integrating is much harder.
Now, to answer your food question. The best way to handle that is to keep them on grower and provide oyster shell in a separate container when you get the first egg. Then switch to layer feed when the young ones are about 18 weeks.
Going without sufficient calcium for perhaps 7 weeks of laying would be hard on the pullets bones.

 

[debid]

You can feed grower for their entire lives. It's also labeled "all-flock". Same thing. The calcium supplement doesn't have to be in the food for it to be effective. Keep a hopper of oyster shell available and their needs will be met. I use grower or all-flock until all of the young ones are laying. The amount of shell consumed is dramatically higher with the all-flock but no soft or thin shells here and no youngsters wrecking their kidneys.

 

[Eggcessive]

My chickens--chicks, hens, and roosters are on Flock Raiser, an 'all flock" food that is good for everyone--it has 20% protein which may help prevent feather picking and I put out crushed oyster shell or crumbled egg shells for the hens for extra calcium. I would not put 2 week old chicks with 8 week olds, unless they are separated by a little fence. They need to be introduced gradually until the little ones can run away and fend for themaselves.