Feeding a mixed age flock....help!

[Chicklette 1]

I have 9 Laying hens in a coop and pen and have been integrating a group of 8 week olds with them. The 8 week olds are ready to be released full time with the older hens. My problem is that I do not want the younger birds eating the layer food. I wonder if there is a food that I can feed to all of them without harming any one. They are free all day with the older ones and can be put in with them at night now........I just do not know what to do with the food situation. I have always done free feeding. I am not so worried about the layers eating the chick food as I am about the younger ones eating the layer food. Help please on a way to handle this.

 

[miss_thenorth]

I think purina has a feed csalled all flock, or something like that, it has everything it it they need, without the calcium. Or you could do scratch grains with free choice oyster shells for the oder girls. If you do that though, they will nedd some extra protien in the winter months, whne there are no bugs to eat.

 

[Chicklette 1]

Thank you, I will look into the purina feed.

 

[AKsmama]

Flock Raiser is the name you're looking for

 

[Chicklette 1]

Thanks, I called Purina and that is what they told me. My feed store is ordering it for me and I will have it Wed.

 

[off-grid hen]

Do you have oyster shell on the side for them? The flock raiser doesn't have as much calcium, that's why everyone can eat it. Just make sure you have the oyster shell or other calcium source available for them too.

 

[Chicklette 1]

Yes, thank you, I always have oyster shells available to the chickens. Once those younger ones get older and my 2nd coop gets finished, things will all fall into place I hope.

 

[jtr]

use flockraiser all poultry can eat it

 

[Chicklette 1]

That is what I am going to feed. Ordered it for me and will be in tomorrow.In the mean time, everybody is eating everybody else's food so I hope no harm will be done in the couple of days this has been going on.