Feeding babies and adults together

[Raptorsgocluck]

I have 21 chickens between 2 months old and 2 years old and they free range during the day. I would like to feed the adults layer feed and the younger ones baby feed, but it's nearly impossible when the flock is all together in the same area. Right now I give baby food in the mornings and layer feed in the afternoon. Any advice on a better way to go about feeding? Should I mix the 2 feeds together? Should I be using one more than the other?

 

[paneubert]

Not really possible to accomplish the "feed the adults layer feed and the younger ones baby feed" unless you physically separate them (the chickens). You could feed the babies with a feeder in a location that the adults could not access, but that does not stop the babies from eating from the adult feeder.

The easy solution is to abandon the "feed the adults layer feed and the younger ones baby feed" scenario and to feed them all an "All Flock" or "Flock Raiser" feed. Then provide a source of calcium separate for the adult hens to consume as they desire. You could also feed them all the chick feed, but that is not usually the route people go.

 

[Raptorsgocluck]

Not really possible to accomplish the "feed the adults layer feed and the younger ones baby feed" unless you physically separate them (the chickens). You could feed the babies with a feeder in a location that the adults could not access, but that does not stop the babies from eating from the adult feeder.

The easy solution is to abandon the "feed the adults layer feed and the younger ones baby feed" scenario and to feed them all an "All Flock" or "Flock Raiser" feed. Then provide a source of calcium separate for the adult hens to consume as they desire. You could also feed them all the chick feed, but that is not usually the route people go.

I had no idea "all flock" was a thing. I will definitely check it out. They get a pretty constant supply of egg shells so calcium is always available.

 

[paneubert]

I had no idea "all flock" was a thing. I will definitely check it out. They get a pretty constant supply of egg shells so calcium is always available.

Yep. It is a thing. No offense intended at all, but your same question is asked at least a few times per week! Especially in the Spring when tons of people have chicks. The answer is almost always "feed them all an All Flock or Flock Raiser". I can't recall ever really seeing anyone get any other good alternate advice, or anyone reporting a successful method they have found to keep the various ages eating separate feed. Other than physical separation of course. So rest assured you are not the only one who is in this situation.

If you want to get super sciency, there are studies that show the bio-availability of calcium from eggshells versus other sources. Eggshells do provide some calcium, but if recall, it may not be a good idea to have eggshells as the sole source of calcium supplement available. Just something to consider. Since the All Flock or Flock Raiser feed is going to have sub 1% calcium in it.

 

[Raptorsgocluck]

Yep. It is a thing. No offense intended at all, but your same question is asked at least a few times per week! Especially in the Spring when tons of people have chicks. The answer is almost always "feed them all an All Flock or Flock Raiser". I can't recall ever really seeing anyone get any other good alternate advice, or anyone reporting a successful method they have found to keep the various ages eating separate feed. Other than physical separation of course. So rest assured you are not the only one who is in this situation.

If you want to get super sciency, there are studies that show the bio-availability of calcium from eggshells versus other sources. Eggshells do provide some calcium, but if recall, it may not be a good idea to have eggshells as the sole source of calcium supplement available. Just something to consider. Since the All Flock or Flock Raiser feed is going to have sub 1% calcium in it.

Good to know. I will look into alternative sources of calcium.

 

[Shadrach]

I have 21 chickens between 2 months old and 2 years old and they free range during the day. I would like to feed the adults layer feed and the younger ones baby feed, but it's nearly impossible when the flock is all together in the same area. Right now I give baby food in the mornings and layer feed in the afternoon. Any advice on a better way to go about feeding? Should I mix the 2 feeds together? Should I be using one more than the other?

Is the baby food chick starter feed and is it medicated?
At 2 months old its quite okay to feed the youngsters an all flock feed.
Feeding an all flock feed or similar solves part of the problem.
Providing calcium carbonate in a separate dish for the laying hens should ensure they get sufficient calcium, particularly given you free range.
I'm not at all keen on layer feed in general. It was designed for intensive egg layers who had no access to the outside. The calcium content in most layer feeds is way above what a free range flock requires and harmful to non layer, pullets and males.

 

[Raptorsgocluck]

Is the baby food chick starter feed and is it medicated?
At 2 months old its quite okay to feed the youngsters an all flock feed.
Feeding an all flock feed or similar solves part of the problem.
Providing calcium carbonate in a separate dish for the laying hens should ensure they get sufficient calcium, particularly given you free range.
I'm not at all keen on layer feed in general. It was designed for intensive egg layers who had no access to the outside. The calcium content in most layer feeds is way above what a free range flock requires and harmful to non layer, pullets and males.

It is starter feed, non medicated. This is exactly why I love BYC! No way I'd get this kind of info elsewhere. I was under the impression that there was only starter for babies and layer/breeder for the adults. I try and do what's best to raise happy healthy chickens (even if I do use some for meat) and unfortunately that's sometimes very hard due to lack of knowledge on my part.

 

[rkapfen]

I’m in the same boat with trying to feed 2 month chicks, laying hens, and roosters. I tried the whole all flock thing and one of my hens started having shell issues. So I decided to feed mostly all flock with a bowl of laying feed with the hopes of the chicks and rooster staying away from that bowl. And so far so good. They may take a couple nibbles but actually prefer the all flock and go to that one.

 

[blackdog043]

@rkapfen did you have oyster shell in a separate container for the layers?

 

[blackdog043]

It is starter feed, non medicated.

I feed 20% non medicated starter and grower with oyster shell in a separate container. The mill I buy from doesn't have an all flock.