Feeding the mixed flock - One older girl and 4 'teen agers'

[Tree hugger]

I have an approximately 2-year old hen and four pullets about 10-12 weeks old and fully feathered out. I've read a lot of the posts about introducing old to new but have a question about feeding. The 'teens' have been eating 'grower' food, the senior hen has standard 'layer' food. I have read that calcium is not good for the younger birds and I'm confused about what to feed as we are ready to move everybody into a new coop and run. If I feed 'grower' food will it provide the appropriate nutrition to my senior girl? Will the 'teens' be okay with 'layer'? Am I over thinking this? I also have always provided oyster shells for my older flock, but should that be removed until the youngsters are older?

Thanks to the advice of others on forum, I'm already planning multiple feeding stations, but don't see any way to prevent 'cross feeding'.

 

[DobieLover]

I have an approximately 2-year old hen and four pullets about 10-12 weeks old and fully feathered out. I've read a lot of the posts about introducing old to new but have a question about feeding. The 'teens' have been eating 'grower' food, the senior hen has standard 'layer' food. I have read that calcium is not good for the younger birds and I'm confused about what to feed as we are ready to move everybody into a new coop and run. If I feed 'grower' food will it provide the appropriate nutrition to my senior girl? Will the 'teens' be okay with 'layer'? Am I over thinking this? I also have always provided oyster shells for my older flock, but should that be removed until the youngsters are older?

Thanks to the advice of others on forum, I'm already planning multiple feeding stations, but don't see any way to prevent 'cross feeding'.

Switch the entire flock over to the grower feed or put them on Flock Raiser or All Flock or any complete feed with 18-20% protein. Keep OS on the side.
The pullets will eat some out of curiosity at first but won't eat it regularly until they come into lay. I would leave the flock on this feeding plan permanently. It offers a better protein level than layer feed does and it doesn't force excess calcium into them when they don't need it like during their molt.

 

[GC-Raptor]

If I feed 'grower' food will it provide the appropriate nutrition to my senior girl? Will the 'teens' be okay with 'layer'? Am I over thinking this?

No you're not over thinking.
12 weeks old is too young for Layers feed.
Feed all the Grower feed with a separate container of Oyster Shells, till the Pullets start laying.
I currently feed my Hens and Pullets (11 months old) a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower feed 18% and have been for 3 years.
A separate container of Oyster Shells supplies the Calcium.

GC

 

[aldarita]

I quit giving my hens layer feed for over a year now. I am switched them to grower feed. This Spring I got chicks and they are now being introduced to the flock so I don't have to worry about the type of feed they need. Just make sure that they have oyster shells 24/7 .
I keep a couple of dishes with OS in the run, they also get crushed egg shells and a handful of dried BSFL (good source of calcium)

 

[Brooks_]

dried BSFL (good source of calcium)

I would not have expected that.