Feeding a mixed flock--various ages, free ranging

[drydenjen]

HI there,

I have a mixed flock with a handful of layers + roo eating layer feed. They free range all day until they are ready to sleep.

My next batch of chicks is approaching 10 weeks of age, and they now also free range. They are penned with younger chicks (who are feathered, but still susceptible to ravens I think), so I pretty much lock the older ones out of their pen and let them back in to eat a couple times a day. When they come in to roost, they find a shelf in the barn, and I have to shoo them back into their pen or pick them up. Huge pain.

They'd love to join the layers. I've read that putting the layers on starter/grower is an option (I have unmedicated for my ducks). Do I need to supplement oyster shell, since they all free range? If I do, will the chicks not eat it too, still getting too much calcium in their diet?

Even better, could I just put them all on whole grains since they forage all day? Too little protein for the chicks still? I've read that some people only feed their free rangers in the Winter, and I'd love to reduce the amount of commercial feed fed to my girlies.

Any advice would be great, I've been too nervous to switch because I'm uncertain!

 

[Judy]

You can feed a mixed flock unmedicated grower or flock raiser, and offer the oyster shell separately. I've done this several times with mamas raising chicks and have never seen chicks messing with the oyster shell. I do keep grit in another bowl, though -- I don't know whether chicks would get into oyster shell looking for grit.

I've never fed anything but commercial feeds and forage; I would have to learn a lot about their nutrition to consider feeding grains instead, or mixing my own feed. I'd be too concerned there were vitamins or minerals they weren't getting. Mine do eat a lot less commercial feed when they have access to the woods and forage.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

You can feed a mixed flock unmedicated grower or flock raiser, and offer the oyster shell separately. I've done this several times with mamas raising chicks and have never seen chicks messing with the oyster shell. I do keep grit in another bowl, though -- I don't know whether chicks would get into oyster shell looking for grit.

I've never fed anything but commercial feeds and forage; I would have to learn a lot about their nutrition to consider feeding grains instead, or mixing my own feed. I'd be too concerned there were vitamins or minerals they weren't getting. Mine do eat a lot less commercial feed when they have access to the woods and forage.

I am in a similar situation. I have already mixed the birds and offer layer feed in one trough and starter in another. It appears that the chicks want the layer feed and the hens want the starter although I do see them swaping. It it a problem for the babies to eat too much of the layer feed?

 

[Dutch552]

I feed a local farm co-op's grower/finisher crumble which is the same as Purina's Flock Raiser, but $4.50 less per 50lb bag. I have oyster shell free choice available to my flock year round.

 

[akovia]

I am in a similar situation. I have already mixed the birds and offer layer feed in one trough and starter in another. It appears that the chicks want the layer feed and the hens want the starter although I do see them swaping. It it a problem for the babies to eat too much of the layer feed?

Layer feed contains added calcium, which is necessary for eggshell formation. Non laying birds can suffer renal problems when they get too much calcium.

 

[Big A Chickens]

I have heard the same about the added calcium in layer feed and the problems it presents to non laying birds. I have 2 hens that are laying but the rest are not. And since I cannot keep the chickens from switching back and forth from the feeders I am waiting until the are are all laying before I switch to a layer feed. I don't want to risk any health issues!

 

[Tinkalicious210]

I feed everyone flock raiser

 

[Big A Chickens]

Is there a certain age that you have to take them off of a flock raiser type feed or is it good for the duration?

 

[Contrary]

Layer feed contains added calcium, which is necessary for eggshell formation. Non laying birds can suffer renal problems when they get too much calcium.

This may be only partially true. The research I read supporting this argument was performed on birds that were confined and had no other food options. This is a free range flock.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Is there a certain age that you have to take them off of a flock raiser type feed or is it good for the duration?

There is no magic in layer feed. It is essentially grower/raiser with the added calcium, which many folks simply supply "on the side". Yes, people successfully keep flocks for decades, never buying or feeding Layer.