different ages of chicks, what food to use?

[mener6896]

I have 2- 17 week old red sexlinks that I know should be getting ready to switch to layer pellets; I also have 32- 8 week old chick, various breeds. All of my chickens are together in one coop, eat from the same feeders, etc. I only recently thought of the feed issue. They are all currently eating starter/grower feed, which by the way, they go through 50 lbs in a week!

I really don't have a place to separate the older 2 hens, not really sure what to do?!

 

[satay]

Leave the older 2 on starter/grower until you see them laying eggs. Then change them over to layer pellets etc.

 

[moonflowers]

From what I've read elsewhere on this site you can keep giving them the grower feed but give them some free choice oyster shell. I have 5 19 week olds and 3 14 week olds and I only this week put out the oyster shell since some of their combs have turned red and one started to squat.