Feed problem

[daltonjones44]

Hi guys,
I have about 10 hens outside that have just begun in the layer food. I have 10 more hens that are only a few weeks old that I want to introduce to the old hens once they're large enough.
My question is since my older hens are already on their layer food, the chicks that I will eventually move outside will still need the chick starter grower. Would it be safe to have them feed on the layer food a little early? Or is there a way to keep them on two separate foods until the new ones are ready for the layer food. Thanks so much for any help!

 

[CascadiaRiver]

Theres pretty much no way to keep the feed separate unless you keep the birds separate, I think layer feed has something in it the babies cannot have (I wanna say too much calcium or something but dont quote me on that) so I think youre better off feeding them all the baby food until the younger ones are old enough to eat the layer food

 

[junebuggena]

Layer feed is much too high in calcium, and too low in protein for growing birds. You don't actually need to feed layer feed at all. It is much simpler to buy one feed and dish it out to everyone, and set out some crushed oyster shell for those that need it. Any feed with at least 18% protein content and a maximum of 2% calcium content will do just fine for them all.

 

[daltonjones44]

Awesome, thank you guys for the quick replies