Feeding a mixed-age, newly integrated flock (layers with 9 week olds!)

[PeMaJoEplus]

Hi friends!
We've done this before, but it's been a while: We're moving our four 9 week olds out of their cramped basement brooder into the main outdoor coop this weekend, and are trying to remember what to do about the feed. The big babies are still on their medicated starter, and obviously that's not going to work for the 3 grown girls who have their layer feed. I remember needing to switch to non-medicated, some mixing was involved, and giving the big girls extra shell while they we're off their layer feed? We can't remember the details! Any help or guidance about how to mix or separate their food would be great. Thanks, all!

 

[GC-Raptor]

If the Medicated feed contains Amprolium. It's safe for the Hens to eat it and the eggs are safe to eat.
My Hens ate the Medicated feed when I got my recent Chicks.
I feed my Chicks Medicated feed for 10 weeks, then when bag is empty around 11 weeks with my recent batch. I switched to Non-Medicated Starter-Grower. No need to ween them off with Amprolium. GC

 

[Ridgerunner]

The way I handle feeding a mixed age flock is to feed the entire flock the same low-calcium feed and offer oyster shell on the side. The ones that need the extra calcium tend to know it and eat enough oyster shell. The ones that don't need it tend to not eat enough calcium to harm themselves.

The low-calcium feed should have a calcium level of around 1% on the analysis label, maybe a bit below or a bit above. For comparison Layer has around 4% calcium. The low-calcium feed might be called Starter, Grower, Developer, Finisher, All-Flock, Flock Raiser, or something else. The basic difference in these is protein level so feed whichever protein level you are comfortable with.

 

[LizzzyJo]

I've only done this once, but I did what @Ridgerunner is suggesting. I fed everyone 'all flock' (I have a roo) and put out extra calcium for the big girls. Mine also free range for about 2 hours a day, so I believe they get their nutrients from bugs because they hated the oyster shell. Now that everyone is an adult I only feed all-flock. Oyster shell just gets kicked over and ignored by everyone here - maybe others can provide info on if free ranging provides enough calcium? The eggs are always sturdy.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Mine also free range for about 2 hours a day, so I believe they get their nutrients from bugs because they hated the oyster shell. Now that everyone is an adult I only feed all-flock. Oyster shell just gets kicked over and ignored by everyone here - maybe others can provide info on if free ranging provides enough calcium? The eggs are always sturdy.

Chickens can get calcium from many things they eat in addition to what they get in the feed. Some plants are fairly high in calcium. Some creepy-crawlies provide calcium, especially if they have bones or a hard shell. If your native rock is limestone they can get all the calcium they need from the rocks they eat for grit, this often happens. If they are getting enough calcium from other sources oyster shell can last a long long time. If they need the calcium the oyster shell can disappear.

If the shells are hard enough they are getting enough calcium from somewhere.

 

[Folly's place]

Nine weeks in your basement? Ouch! Better you than me...
If your chicks have been getting clumps of your soil for weeks, they will be safer going off the amprolium supplemented feed soon. If they are just now going out on dirt, they need this support for another two to four weeks, while they build partial immunity to your coccidia. The hens will be fine on it too.
I also feed everyone an all-flock feed, with oyster shell on the side.
Mary