Can you continue to use a grower feed as an all flock feed?

[Outer limit]

Better in the long run to switch to lower protien for year olds and up

I have been considering that. I know they need at least 16% for laying. However, I’ve also heard that is not enough if you cut their diet with any scraps, treats, or scratch grains. My chickens do eat scraps from the garden, and I had been considering giving them some scratch this winter. What are the potential consequences of remaining at a grower protein level? Does it affect their kidneys? I was raised with a ton of chickens, but I never knew any of these details. Granny just heated up slop for them, we threw out some feed, and they free ranged

 

[Quaen]

Fiesty pants is an 100% pullet. Just a fiesty one

 

[rosemarythyme]

I haven’t found any organic all flock either. I am going to take your advice! Nice to have feedback! Thank you!

If you have access to Payback feed, they have an organic all flock crumble, but their name for it is hatch-to-hen. Nutritionally it's pretty similar to grower from other brands, so this is why you shouldn't get caught up in what the feed is named and instead look at the nutrition panel.

 

[Outer limit]

That is good to know. Thank you!

 

[Outer limit]

Fiesty pants is an 100% pullet. Just a fiesty one

I sure hope you are right! How could you tell?

 

[Quaen]

I sure hope you are right! How could you tell?

At her age, she would have male saddles and hackles if she were a cockerel, which she isn't. She looks like she would be one of your first layers too.

 

[Outer limit]

That is good to know. Thank you for your expertise!

 

[Quaen]

That is good to know. Thank you for your expertise!

No problem

 

[3KillerBs]

In case anyone wants to know, the brand is Kalmbach. If they have organic grower, why not an all flock?

I believe that they do, because I remember telling my feed store that I didn't want to pay the extra for Organic. A given store might not carry it if there isn't enough demand.

@Outer limit

 

[AOrchard]

Since I can’t switch to layer feed due to rooster, can I keep them all on grower long term?

Many people use layer feed for flocks with roosters, myself included. It looks like your potential rooster turned out to not be a rooster, so you won't need to worry about this for now, but something to keep in mind for the future!

No need to immediately discount layer feed with a rooster. There seems to be a chance that some roosters on layer feed will have a shorter lifespan from excess calcium being hard on the kidneys, but honestly most roosters don't live out their full life span anyway. If predators don't get them then you've got humans turning them into dinner if they get aggressive or selling because they are starting to inbreed.