Feeding new chicks with old

[flock mommasan]

My three 5-6 week old chicks will be put in a separated area of the coop/run with 5 other older hens sometime within the next week or so. We can keep them separated for as long as it takes (we're thinking a few weeks). But then once we have everyone together the new chicks will be around 10-11 weeks old and is it okay that they start eating layer feed? I can't imagine how to keep them from that. Alternatively, I think I read somewhere that we should feed all the chickens starter crumble until the youngest is 16 weeks old. But how does that affect the layers?

What do y'all say?

 

[chickens really]

I feed my entire flock Grower feed and put down starter if I have Chicks with Broody Hens.
I supply my layers with oyster shell for extra calcium in a separate dish.

 

[aart]

Yep, have always used an All Flock ration with Oyster shell in a separate container for the layers.

 

[flock mommasan]

Thank you!