Feeding layer feed to early question

[Ridgerunner]

So do you keep the chicks separate until they are old enough to eat the Grower,
or maybe use a creep feeder??

Aart, until they are about 4 weeks old the entire flock gets Starter. When the bag runs out after four weeks they all get Grower. Why make it any more complicated than it has to be.

I use a creep feeder when I have very young chicks with a broody hen. That's not to feed them anything special, just so I don't have to adjust the regular feeders so very young chicks can get to them. The adults will concentrate on any feed put out for the chicks even if there is no difference other than it's in a new location. And by two weeks of age the chicks are flying up to the adults' feeders to eat out of that, usually with the broody hen standing guard to keep the other adults away.

 

[aart]

Aart, until they are about 4 weeks old the entire flock gets Starter. When the bag runs out after four weeks they all get Grower.

Makes sense, and the whole flock gets a protein boost.

 

[lazy gardener]

I march to a different drummer: My flock stays on fermented unmedicated starter while I have chicks. Any time after my chicks get their cluck (enter puberty) the entire flock gets layer.

Yes, I can agree with the "studies" that link increased calcium intake to renal issues when fed to chicks or non laying birds. I temper this information with the studies that also say that increased protein intake can cause gout in birds. Added to this, my personal observation: roosters in my flock live a nice long healthy life, while consuming high calcium layer feed most of their lives. No renal failure, illness, undetermined deaths noted. Also, consider free range birds: Birds that eat a varied menu on free range take in A LOT OF CALCIUM in their daily greens! Add this to the calcium in the layer pellets, and it would be assumed that my flock gets lots of calcium. Still no issues.

One reason why I don't go the route of a higher protein multi flock: Layer feed is much easier on my wallet. And by fermenting that feed, the 16% protein formulation gets a protein boost. Studies show that fermentation increases Lysine, Methionine, and B vitamins.