Feeding chicks and hens

[Tamma]

Now that my 2 month old Polish chicks are free ranging with my 3 big red stars, I am having a problem. They all get along but the food situation is not good. I leave food and water in the small coop I have for the chicks and the hens are eating the chick starter. I read on here that getting fat too fast can kill chickens. How do you have both kinds of feed available for all ages of chickens? or am I over-worrying? They will eat a good 1/2 cup a piece. Is that insignificant? Thanks for your help.

 

[Judy]

It is something to pay attention to, because layer is a real problem for young chicks. There is no problem with feeding the older ones chick starter, or grower, or flock raiser -- whatever. You may want to put out oyster shell ina separate container if you don't already do this. Even laying hens can eat medicated (if with amprolium) chick starter, and you can safely eat the eggs.

 

[Den in Penn]

If you have to use two feeds you have to keep the birds separate. Most of us use the feed that does the least damage. In your case a grower is the least damaging feed. The adults can eat it, but will need a extra calcium source. I doubt the red stars will get so fat they die from eating the chicks food. The starters usually have a higher protein level for better growth. That level is not that much higher then a high protein layer. With them out free ranging it won't matter.

 

[Tamma]

I didn't even think about the medicated part and eating the eggs. I will check right away to see but I think my new bag of feed is not medicated. OK, I will put out some extra oyster shell and stop stressing so much. The chicks are not interested in the laying feed as it is too big for them to eat right now. I was just worried about damaging my hens with the starter. Thanks so much for your advice!