Chicks and hens of various ages....feeding of...

[sisterpine]

Good morning all you chicken lovers! This past winter in Arizona I lost 19 hens to predatory large Owls and thus I now have the following: 11 adult laying hens, 9 six week old heavy breed chicks and 31 mixed breed chicks that are only 1 month old. The littlest ones are in a brooder set up with starter/grower feed. I just released the six week old chicks into the chicken coop/yard (60 x 60 ft totally enclosed) plus coop. I am trying to figure out the best way to feed said chicks? The tiny ones are separated in a large stock tank and are getting their starter grower but the medium sized chicks only have layer pellets to feast upon. Should I get some layer crumble for the ease of the larger chicks? When I put out starter/grower for the medium chicks the adult hens flock to it and eat it . I am concerned about : the adult hens not getting enough calcium from the starter/grower, and the medium chicks not getting enough protein and a low enough calcium diet? Any advice?

 

[NuggetTheChicken]

An all flock feed, such as Purina Flock Raiser, should work. As for the laying hens, put a bowl of oyster shells for calcium. The hens will eat them whenever they need calcium. You can get those from Tractor Supply or some other feed stores as well as the flock raiser feed. Even chick starter will work, as long as you provide oyster shell for the hens

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Your concerns are valid. If I read your post correctly, you are feeding 6 week old chicks layer feed. That's a no-no. 4% calcium will overwhelm kidneys of chickens that don't have a use for it.
Any bird that is not laying eggs, regardless of sex or age are not layers. Therefor, they shouldn't eat layer feed.
The simple solution is to continue the starter or an All Flock feed for all the birds and provide a calcium source, preferably oyster shell in a separate container for the active 'layers'.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you don't have all flock type feed available, hens absolutely can eat starter and grower. They'll likely enjoy it, as it tends to have more protein. Have oyster shell available on the side for their calcium needs.

Chicks/pullets before laying age should NOT eat layer, due to the calcium level which can cause kidney damage.