different ages, different food??

[Hennyhandler]

I have 13 week old chickens and roughly 3 to 4 week old chicks. Later when it is time i will move my chicks into the coop with my chickens. What do i feed them then because my chickens will be laying and would need layer by then and the chicks would still be on grower feed. Do i put both out and they'll know which to eat out of? Or do i still feed grower till the other chicks can have layer? I think i've heard something about this but i would of thought the chickens would have needed the layer for the eggs. Any help would be nice.

 

[pipermark]

Ok, going to pass on the chickens will know what feed is theirs thing.

Matter of choice, I always feed to the youngest. So, I would feed grower and I would put oyster shells in the pen to supply additional ca. , I will point out that you may experience a slight loss of egg production. If this is not acceptable, keeps chicks separated until about 4 months feeding the grower. After 4 months they can be changed over to layer.

 

[mrspabody]

This is very helpful - thank you! I also understand that letting them free range at least a bit helps the layers' calcium intake so egg production might not suffer as much if they could get some fresh greens in addition to the oyster shell.

 

[chickencoop789]

There is a chicken feed called "All Flock". Chickens of all ages can eat this feed. It is better for the laying hens than chick food with oyster shell.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Grower is fine for everyone.
Raiser is just a fancy name for Grower and often has virtually the same ingredients, but yes, it is also fine.
Even Starter, non medicated, is fine for everyone.

Just offer a calcium source, for the layers, on the side, and only their bodies crave it, so normally, they are the only ones who will eat it. Once everyone is over 16 weeks of age, there is little concern and everyone can indeed eat Layer, if it is more convenient.