Flock of all ages...

[DolceVita]

I have 1 18 week old, 1 16 week old, 4 13 week old, 1 11 week old and 2 5 week olds..... what do I do when the 18 week old and 16 week old start laying and they need layer feed? Because I have babies do I just keep them all on starter and grower?

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

Keeping them on a grower feed, with oyster shells or egg shells in a separate container for any laying hens, would work best until they all begin to lay. Once they are all laying, you can either switch them to layer food or keep them on a grower or all flock with calcium on the side, for their whole lives.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

All Flock (or Grower) and free choice oyster shell for your layers.

 

[DolceVita]

Starter and grower is the same as grower?

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

Starter and grower is the same as grower?

It should be, but it’ll probably be fine either way.

 

[aart]

I feed a 20% all flock, with Oyster Shells in a separate container for the active layers.

 

[DolceVita]

I feed a 20% all flock, with Oyster Shells in a separate container for the active layers.

Can a 10 week old eat that too? And what is the best brand?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Yes, a 10 week old can eat it too - compare the back label of your starter/grower and All FLock, the numbers are quite similar.

"Best"? No idea. Depends on availability. Doesn't matter what is "best" if its also not readily available.

Personally, I use the Nutrena Naturewise AllFlock Pellet in the 40# bags. Runs about $16.50 a bag at TSC, a bit less at TractorKing (not one nearby) and I just signed up with Nutrena in hopes of getting their $2/off coupons. I've had birds on it as young as 4 weeks. I like the pellet, less mess.

When I can't get that, I use the Purina FlockRaiser crumble - 50# bag, $18.

DuMor has an "All Flock" which I've never used. 50# like the Purina, priced like the Nutrena - but its a 17% Protein, not the 20% in the Nutrena and the Purina. Since I have meat birds, that's a deal breaker.

If I can't find any of those (as has happened this year), I've used Nutrena's "Feather Fixer", another 20% Protein bag.

If I JUST had layers, no meat birds, the DuMor would be adequate - I free range, so they can hunt bugs to their little heart's content, about 13-14 hours a day during the summer, less in winter.


/edit I keep (buy) a bag of Starter Crumble for new additions to the flock - have the 6 SLW on it now. Will transition them to the All Flock before I integrate them with the main body of birds. For now, they are all in, effectively, quarantine till they bulk up and start losing that baby down. Then I'll have them together apart, in their own day enclosure, surrounded by the bigger birds while introductions are made (2 week process).

 

[aart]

Can a 10 week old eat that too? And what is the best brand?

Yep. I like Purina Flock Raiser crumbles, pretty much all I have ever used.
Good for all ages, I do grind it up a bit in the blender for chicks until a week or two old.

 

[DolceVita]

Yep. I like Purina Flock Raiser crumbles, pretty much all I have ever used.
Good for all ages, I do grind it up a bit in the blender for chicks until a week or two old.

What would be the best feed for a 3 month old who has a hard time putting on weight?