feeding chicks when integrating broody and chicks to flock

[LAFreewayChickens]

I'm in the process of integrating a broody and four chicks back in with my other two hens. They've seen each other through the fence for a while now and even free ranged together fine. Actually, the chicks can get through the 2x3 fence in with the other hens anytime they are out and about.

I'm not worried about the social issues. The other hens are not too aggressive to the chicks, and the broody puts them in their place if they even try to peck the chicks away from exciting food items.

But I am trying to figure out how to best feed the chicks. They are 2 weeks old, and they are happy to scratch and forage and eat on their own. But they also follow mama around and she breaks up what she is eating and puts pieces on the ground for the chicks. Should I worry that she'll break up layer pellets (from the hanging feeder out of the chicks reach) and feed the pieces to the chicks (and they'll get too much calcium from the layer pellets)?

Right now I have a small chick feeder with starter crumbles and a little bowl with some wet mash in a cage that only the chicks are small enough to get into. Does this sound workable, or should I just fill the hanging feeder with chick starter crumbles?

Luckily there are only 3 full grown hens (and only one which is laying) so I wouldn't be feeding massive amounts of starter to the adults. And they have free choice oyster shell to get their calcium.

 

[teach1rusl]

Is the starter non medicated??? If so, I might just go with that for all. Or go with Flock Raiser (or something similar) crumbles for all - safe for chicks on up - oyster shell on the side/free choice.

 

[LAFreewayChickens]

Thanks for your feedback.

Yes, the starter is non-medicated. I've got a bag of starter and a bag of layer pellets. I want to use what I've got, plus I'm feeding them organic modesto milling, and when I bought the bag of starter, I asked about finisher, but no one near me had it in stock.

Anyway, I did put them all on the same side of the fence today. The chicks have crumbles in a cage only they can get through inside the coop and a bowl of wet mash under a milk crate out in the run. Maybe I will go ahead and replace the layer pellets in the hanging feeder with starter crumbles for a while...