Food for Flock

[Veiji]

As I am starting my own flock, we had added Cockerels. We know the hens NEED calcium, so we provide them with Layer feed and offer Oyster Shells in a dish 24/7 access, BUT now that we have Roosters, what do we feed the whole flock?

We have Layer Feed, Scratch Grains, and Oyster Shells. Do we just get an All Flock feed for everyone and just use Scratch Grain as a small treat daily, and allow 24/7 access to Oyster Shells? What do we do with layer feed? Our hens seem to be laying very few eggs recently as well.

We will also be having chicks hatching in 12 days, are they alright to eat what we lay down for the adult chickens at age 18 - 20 weeks? We will of course provide them with Starter Feed as required.

I just want my flock to be happy and healthy for a long time.

Any advice and suggestions will help greatly!

 

[snood dude]

Feed your rooster the same as your hens

 

[DobieLover]

As I am starting my own flock, we had added Cockerels. We know the hens NEED calcium, so we provide them with Layer feed and offer Oyster Shells in a dish 24/7 access, BUT now that we have Roosters, what do we feed the whole flock?

We have Layer Feed, Scratch Grains, and Oyster Shells. Do we just get an All Flock feed for everyone and just use Scratch Grain as a small treat daily, and allow 24/7 access to Oyster Shells? What do we do with layer feed? Our hens seem to be laying very few eggs recently as well.

We will also be having chicks hatching in 12 days, are they alright to eat what we lay down for the adult chickens at age 18 - 20 weeks? We will of course provide them with Starter Feed as required.

I just want my flock to be happy and healthy for a long time.

Any advice and suggestions will help greatly!

Finish up the layer feed then switch to All Flock or Flock Raiser and keep the OS on the side. You'll be ready for anything feeding that.
Keep the scratch to a minimum.

 

[neo71665]

All flock with oyster shell on the side

DO NOT feed roosters layer feed long term. They do not need the added calcium and it will harm them over time. Layer is also not good for young birds not laying yet for the same reason.

Scratch grains is basically candy for birds. It isn't a substitute for feed.

 

[GC-Raptor]

As I am starting my own flock, we had added Cockerels. We know the hens NEED calcium, so we provide them with Layer feed and offer Oyster Shells in a dish 24/7 access, BUT now that we have Roosters, what do we feed the whole flock?

We have Layer Feed, Scratch Grains, and Oyster Shells. Do we just get an All Flock feed for everyone and just use Scratch Grain as a small treat daily, and allow 24/7 access to Oyster Shells? What do we do with layer feed? Our hens seem to be laying very few eggs recently as well.

I would finish the layer feed and switch to a Non-medicated Starter-Grower 18%/20%. It's cheaper than a All-flock/Flock Raiser feed and contains all nutrients a egg laying chicken needs except Calcium.
My preferred feed for Pullets over 10 weeks old and Hens is a Non-medicated Starter-Grower 18% with Oyster Shells separately.

I haven't fed a Layers feed in 3 years.
I don't have any Cockerals/Roosters but prefer a feed with 18% Protein. GC