Feeding advice

[Chick-InnOwner]

I have 9 4 week chicks, 8 7 week chicks and 8 15/16 week birds.
This is mainly for the older birds, when do I feed them layer feed? Do I feed roosters a seperate feed? About how much feed does a flock of 25 birds go through a month, if free fed partly free ranged and fed scraps & garden vegetables every few days?

 

[Chicken101-07]

Start feeding them layer feed when they get to 18 weeks of age,I don't think you have to feed roosters separate feed if you don't want to,how much feed 25 birds go through in a month,honestly depends on the breed,bigger chickens eat a lot more than smaller chickens.

 

[Doc7]

How are you going to feed Roos separately from laying pullets and hens? What about chicks that have not come into lay yet?


I wouldn’t recommend using layer feed.


I use Purina flock raiser Mostly but I will purchase Any major brand that has the latest manufacture date when I go to the store (tractor supply).


The way I figure, more than half the year:
- you have chicks
- you have hens not laying due to daylight hours
- you have hens not laying due to molt (and this can be months and months of the year if you look at all the times any single hen is molting)
- You have a broody
- You might have a roo

I just see no reason to buy layer feed when any given day one of these factors could be impacting the flock and layer feed would negatively impact at least one bird. This is why I don’t even consider any feed but the most recent mill date Flock Raiser (any brand) with a can of oyster shell always present


That is a copy paste of another post I’ve made but basically, Feed all your chickens flock raiser from hatch until death

 

[21hens-incharge]

How are you going to feed Roos separately from laying pullets and hens? What about chicks that have not come into lay yet?


I wouldn’t recommend using layer feed.


I use Purina flock raiser Mostly but I will purchase Any major brand that has the latest manufacture date when I go to the store (tractor supply).


The way I figure, more than half the year:
- you have chicks
- you have hens not laying due to daylight hours
- you have hens not laying due to molt (and this can be months and months of the year if you look at all the times any single hen is molting)
- You have a broody
- You might have a roo

I just see no reason to buy layer feed when any given day one of these factors could be impacting the flock and layer feed would negatively impact at least one bird. This is why I don’t even consider any feed but the most recent mill date Flock Raiser (any brand) with a can of oyster shell always present


That is a copy paste of another post I’ve made but basically, Feed all your chickens flock raiser from hatch until death

This is an excellent way to get everyone the things they need to live long healthy lives.

 

[Chick-InnOwner]

How are you going to feed Roos separately from laying pullets and hens? What about chicks that have not come into lay yet?


I wouldn’t recommend using layer feed.


I use Purina flock raiser Mostly but I will purchase Any major brand that has the latest manufacture date when I go to the store (tractor supply).


The way I figure, more than half the year:
- you have chicks
- you have hens not laying due to daylight hours
- you have hens not laying due to molt (and this can be months and months of the year if you look at all the times any single hen is molting)
- You have a broody
- You might have a roo

I just see no reason to buy layer feed when any given day one of these factors could be impacting the flock and layer feed would negatively impact at least one bird. This is why I don’t even consider any feed but the most recent mill date Flock Raiser (any brand) with a can of oyster shell always present


That is a copy paste of another post I’ve made but basically, Feed all your chickens flock raiser from hatch until death

this makes total sense and will help me a ton, thank you!!