Feeding both chicks and hens - Special Needs

[Cmacc]

I have 3 year old laying hens and 10 week old chickens. I am about to introduce them and combine the flock in the next few weeks.

I also have a hen, Stella, who has battled Egg Yolk Peritonitis and won. She lays daily, however the top of her shell is almost always brittle and broken. SoI feel like it’s only a matter of time before she battles EYP again.

My question. Do I feed grower food temporarily to the whole flock as I transition chicks to the coop? This seems to be the common advice.
However, I am concerned about the lower amount of calcium for Stella. Supplementing her food has not seemed to help in the past.

I am needing to ideas for keeping Stella healthy for this transition, and so I’m throwing it out to the group. She’s been through a lot already. Thanks in advance.

 

[azygous]

This is not the complicated issue it appears to be. The solution is simple and safe for all. Feed the chick grower to all the chickens. It's nearly identical to an all flock feed.

The calcium needs of the laying hens can be supplied by making oyster shell available and they will eat it as they feel the need.

For your EYP patient, she could use a round of intense calcium therapy to correct her shell issue. I use people calcium citrate with D3 added. Give one whole table directly into the beak once a day until her shells are normal again.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I don't know about Stella, but I wouldn't switch the Pullets to a Layer feed till 18 weeks old.

Maybe feed her a wet mash separate from the Flock two to three times daily, made with her regular layer feed.
Give her an eighth of a cup of dry feed and cover with water and feed immediately.
Then put her back with the Flock when she finishes it. Repeat once or twice daily. GC

 

[Cmacc]

This is not the complicated issue it appears to be. The solution is simple and safe for all. Feed the chick grower to all the chickens. It's nearly identical to an all flock feed.

The calcium needs of the laying hens can be supplied by making oyster shell available and they will eat it as they feel the need.

For your EYP patient, she could use a round of intense calcium therapy to correct her shell issue. I use people calcium citrate with D3 added. Give one whole table directly into the beak once a day until her shells are normal again.

Am I to just insert the whole pill into her beak and she will swallow? That easy? No need to crush into food or anything like that? I’m a newbie, so thank you for your advice.

 

[azygous]

Yes. People have more trouble swallowing pills than chickens do. Even half grown chicks can handle a large whole pill.

Part of the reason for this is that people begin the digestive process by chewing food into small bits. But chickens begin their digestion after they swallow a chunk of food. It's why chickens don't need teeth.