Feed help

[Nverst]

I was wondering what I should do in my current situation. I have 6, 5-week old chicks that I will be placing into the coop in a couple weeks. In my coop I already have 4, 4-month old chickens. Obviously my chicks can’t eat the same feed as my chickens so I’m curious as to what I should do, do I just feed both the chickens and chicks chick feed? Or do I try and have separate food dishes?

Thanks.

 

[saysfaa]

They can all eat chick feed. As they start laying, offering oyster shells or egg shells separately will let the layers get the extra calcium they need. Those who don't need it won't eat enough to be a problem.

 

[Acre4Me]

They CAN all eat chick feed. In my experience, this can be a mess and waste bc of the crumbles. So, you could try to address this-maybe a pan under the feeders? Maybe wet mash for awhile.

But, you have 2-3 weeks before they go out there. Then a period of see-no-touch integration where food will be separate. Once together, the chicks will still benefit from crumble. But, you could switch to an all-flock feed pellet, with OS on the side for the layers. Don’t forget that there needs to be 2 feeders minimum so the young ones aren’t prevented from eating. In my experience, the chicks run as a pack -keeping away from the higher pecking order layers. Full integration doesn’t really occur until all are laying.