Feeding chicks vs hens

[Monstertone]

I've got five one year old hens that eat Layena crumble. I've got 12 chicks arriving in September. I'll keep them in a small container until they're a bit older, but after a few months I'd like to let them free range like the hens.

Question - the youngers are supposed to eat "Chick starter" until the start laying. If all your chickens are together, how can you keep them from eathing the high calcium food?

 

[rhodiegal]

I don't think you really can seperate it - and I don't think that it will hurt the 1+ year olds to eat the higher protein level in the chick starter for a couple of months or so. If it were me, I would feed them all the starter instead of the lay ration when you combine flocks. I know several people who feed their older laying flock the expensive high protein ration on a normal everyday basis - they say it improves laying. It may however be damaging to the birds years down the road?

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Flock raiser is another option. Everyone can be on this, just set out a pan of oyster shell incase the hens need it for calcium.

 

[Monstertone]

Thanks for the replies!

That makes perfects sense. I'll feed them all grower, and supplie some calcium grit or something for the laying hens.

Thank you so much!

 

[cmom]

The chicks should be on their Starter for at least their first 8 weeks. Then I would put them on Flock Raiser.