Feeding question

[rkapfen]

So I have 4 hens about 9 months old and they’re still on a grower feed, with lots of egg shells/oyster shells for calcium. I kept them on the baby feed through the winter for the extra protein. Is there any reason to even switch them to a layer feed? I also recently got a serama rooster. I’m afraid if I switch them to a layer feed he’s gonna eat that with them which I read isn’t good for roosters. If I feed them separate things I feel like he would still eat their food with them. I would like some advice, thank you!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

So I have 4 hens about 9 months old and they’re still on a grower feed, with lots of egg shells/oyster shells for calcium. I kept them on the baby feed through the winter for the extra protein. Is there any reason to even switch them to a layer feed? I also recently got a serama rooster. I’m afraid if I switch them to a layer feed he’s gonna eat that with them which I read isn’t good for roosters. If I feed them separate things I feel like he would still eat their food with them. I would like some advice, thank you!

Keep on the all flock with the oyster shell on the side. I go to a feed mill and get specially made layer feed that is 20% protein.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Keep them on grower until they start laying. I feed layer to my hens and our roosters, and it's never affected them.

 

[DobieLover]

There is no reason for you to switch. The way you are feeding is appropriate for your current mix of birds and for the various times when your soon to be hens will stop laying and will not need the extra calcium in a layer formulation.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have 35 months old Golden Comets and 6 months old Barred Rocks and I feed all of them a 18/20% feed, either a Non-medicated Starter Grower or a All-Flock/Flock Raiser, whichever is fresher or available when I'm at TSC. I offer Oyster Shells separately. Both feeds are good for Roosters.
I don't feed a 16% Layers feed anymore because my First Flock feather picked when I switched. GC

 

[blackdog043]

There is no need to change your feed. My flock(3 years) has had nothing but 20% non medicated starter grower, with oyster shell on the side. I'll be getting chicks next week, when I integrate at 3 - 4 weeks, I don't have to worry about chicks eating layer feed. It makes it real simple and they all do well on it.

Look at the labels on both feeds, you could do this online. The biggest difference will be protein % and calcium content. As long as your providing calcium in a separate container they will get the calcium they need. The choice is yours, but what your doing is fine.