feeding chicks layer mash

[silkydragon]

i have silkys that are about 2 and a half months old and have put them in the maine coop becouse they were getting crowded and pecking eachother where i had them i was wondering if it was ok for the babys to eat layermash since we are not out of chick starter anneyway or would it kill them / couse huge problems its small so they wont choke on it

 

[Choco Maran]

It should not be a problem. I have feed my layer crumbles before when I was out of starter. I would try to get some grower for then for a while if you can though. I usally start my hens on lay when they are four to five months. I feel it give them the calcium they need for good soild shells.

 

[Tala]

Layena (Purina layer feed)says do not feed to birds under 18 weeks of age, because of the calcium.

If they are only 2.5 months old I would keep them on grower, or more simply, switch the WHOLE flock over to Flock Raiser (or other grower feed) and offer oyster shells free choice for the laying hens. They will only eat the shells if they need the calcium, otherwise a grower feed will keep them fine nutritionally.

 

[Paraclete 2]

I don't consider myself an authority, but I raise and sell chickens year round, and I put all my girls on layer crumbles, or mash at three months old. That is where they goin in with the main flock and remember some lay as early as eighteen weeks. I have never had any adverse experience and I sell around five hundred birds every year.

 

[Mahonri]

Mine don't get layer feed until they are at least 18 weeks old.

 

[crazy huhn]

Quote:
No offense, but you are selling......The reality is, if you want your chickens live a long healthy life as a pet chicken, you will damage their kidneys with the amount of calcium a good layer feed offers. I am talking out of first hand experience and will never ever do it again.
A flock raiser feed or gamebird feed would be so much better for all the birds. It usually has a slightly higher protein level which would be equally beneficial for the young birds and the old birds. Add some free choice oyster shell for the layers and you will be fine.