Feeding Chicks and Hen together

[Allenwpax]

Hi Guys,
First time chicken owner here. We moved into our retirement home which included a coup/run and two silkie hens. We lost one hen to a bobcat. Our remaining silkie went broody with nice timing for available chicks at the local feed store. We have our hen happily raising 5 silkie chicks that are two weeks old now! We currently are feeding chick starter crumbles. I have read that at about 8 weeks old the mother will go back to laying eggs. At that point we are supposed to feed the mother layer feed and the chicks grower feed, but they will be together. Could we use grower feed and have a supplemental bowl of oyster shells that our hen could eat? Will that work or should we just switch to layer feed at that point for everyone?

Thanks,
Allen

 

[JacinLarkwell]

*Personally I just feed layer feed*

But most people here provide the chick feed and oyster shells seperately for mama bird

 

[wyochick10]

Welcome to BYC! And yes they can all eat grower or something similar with oyster shell on the side for the layers. I feed Purina Flock Raiser to everyone all year long.