Confused

[beachchickie]

I keep hearing DO NOT FEED LAYER TO PULLETS UNTIL THEY LAY. Then some say it is ok. What gives? I have 10 week old pullets and 1yr old hens I am fighting them both trying to keep them out of each other's food. You know the greener grass thing. I am almost out of starter The FEED Lot does not sell anything in between except "Game Cock Feed" what ever that is. WHat to do?

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Excellent question. No answer here, but I'll be watching b/c I've been wondering the same thing myself. I've got an integrated flock and it seems impossible to me to accomplish the ideal feed conditions for both age groups.

 

[boxermom]

I have the same question, along with turkeys. They all eat everything!

 

[beachchickie]

We are all waiting on someone with answers to come online.

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

I've been led to believe that the excess calcium in the layer can harm the kidenys of young pullets that do not need very much calcium just yet. I heard it won't kill fast but can cause some serious problems in the long-run. But then again I believe everything I hear or read.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

The most common solution people use with a mixed age flock is to feed the entire flock something like flock raiser and supply free choice oyster shell for the hens that are laying to consume, for the additional calcium they need.

Since the extra calcium in layer feed is not good for non-laying chickens, what I do is switch pullets just about the time they start to lay. Depending on when I need to go buy food for them, I might switch a little before or a little after they start laying. What I don't do is switch them when they are very young.

I am sure others will be along shortly, to give their ideas on this for you.

 

[newchicksnducks]

Yeah, a flock raiser feed is what you want. Offer oyster shell calcium...I would make the oyster feeder higher so that the young ones don't pig out on it because of the novelty! You don't want to feed medicated chick feed because of the higher protein, or at least that's how it's been explained to me

 

[DTchickens]

Quote:
Never heard it was harmful myself, but I guess the comments do make sense. Game cock feed If I'm correct is a feed specifically made for gamecocks, I've never bought it as I mix my own but since game fowl owners are usually into feeding the best mixes there are a couple people will make a little mix and sell it. It's usually a mix of some corn, maybe some wheat, laying pellets/alfalfa and other stuff if I remember right. Would have to ask my buddy what all is in his, but it still varies as different people- different mixes.

-Daniel.

 

[beachchickie]

Feed lot does not sell Flock Raiser/ only chick starter and layer. I am leaving for a week and I can't find any food suitable for both. My parents are coming by to feed and water. Trying to make this easy. I did find small bag of chick starter without antiibiotic. Guess that will have to do.

 

[MandyH]

Now this is just ME, BUT mine get chick starter until they are big enough to eat layer pellets. Been raising chickens for years, and never have any die, so that's that.