Feeding growers and layers together

[Chuckkeeper]

Hi all
I've eight birds who will I imagine start laying over a 2-3 month period. Prior to laying I am feeding growers and eventually I will move on to layers when all are laying. There is one cockerel though.

What would you suggest for the cockerel and/or the transition from grower to layer when some birds are laying and others aren't?

Thanks

 

[IamRainey]

All-flock has 20% protein that your growers will appreciate and 0% calcium which your rooster will appreciate.

Your layers will need calcium and the way to provide that is cups of oyster shell they can help themselves to. I also have a cup of washed, microwave zapped and lightly crushed egg shell as well. They LOVE the eggshell but the oyster shell is essential.

 

[Chuckkeeper]

All-flock has 20% protein that your growers will appreciate and 0% calcium whip your rooster will appreciate. Your layers will need calcium and the way to provide that is cups of oyster shell they can help themselves to. I also have a cup of washed, microwave zapped and lightly crushed egg shell as well. They LOVE the eggshell but the oyster shell is essential.

Thank you! Can I buy an oyster/grit mix or does it need to be offered separately? it's most clever than they know what they need

Is all flock good to use both before and after all the girls are laying, so during the transition?

 

[IamRainey]

I've never heard of a grit and oyster shell mix. Better I think to let them fill their own need for each separately. Your rooster who should not have calcium still needs grit to break down the grains in his feed.

I use these nifty little cups that hook onto the hardware cloth. ... and stay there! (Chickens love nothing more than moving things, stepping in them, overturning them, burying them and generally making sure they're someplace other than where you wanted them.)

I have one for grit, one for oyster shell and one for eggshell. Since they're really affordable and really durable this approach works for me.

 

[Chuckkeeper]

I've never heard of a grit and oyster shell mix. Better I think to let them fill their own need for each separately. Your rooster who should not have calcium still needs grit to break down the grains in his feed.

I use these nifty little cups that hook onto the hardware cloth. ... and stay there! (Chickens love nothing more than moving things, stepping in them, overturning them and generally making sure they're someplace other than where you wanted them.)

I have one for grit, one for oyster shell and one for eggshell. Since they're really affordable and really durable this approach works for me.

Thanks!

Sorry my mistake. It's mixed grid with "soft soluble calcium".

It's this one: https://www.millbryhill.co.uk/pets-...QV1iPD91AsBdf6X-leh-7zUuuH71nSdcaAubVEALw_wcB

So offer the one above, plus oyster shell & egg shell separately?

 

[IamRainey]

Sorry. I don't know anything about that product. Just what was advised to me and what I do.

 

[Chuckkeeper]

Sorry. I don't know anything about that product. Just what was advised to me and what I do.

Thanks. Ultimately I'll feed both separately as you advise, but I've a feeling this is 25kg of combined!

 

[Chuckkeeper]

I've never heard of a grit and oyster shell mix. Better I think to let them fill their own need for each separately. Your rooster who should not have calcium still needs grit to break down the grains in his feed.

I use these nifty little cups that hook onto the hardware cloth. ... and stay there! (Chickens love nothing more than moving things, stepping in them, overturning them, burying them and generally making sure they're someplace other than where you wanted them.)

I have one for grit, one for oyster shell and one for eggshell. Since they're really affordable and really durable this approach works for me.

I've ordered the cups!

 

[IamRainey]

I hope you like them. I do.

 

[Chuckkeeper]

I hope you like them. I do.

I am sure I will! Do you mind sending me links to the grit & oyster products you buy?