Food Science

[thewatsonfarm]

My little girls (6 weeks old) are outside during the day in a coop where the big girls can see them, and they come in at night. During the day, they spill their chick starter (Scratch & Peck, non-medicated) all over the ground, and in the morning I usually find the big girls in there snacking on the leftovers.

I was just reading some other posts and read that my laying hens shouldn't eat chick starter? Why not? I mean, at all? They aren't getting much anyhow, so I'm not too worried. But should I be? I'd love to understand the science about what it is about starter that would be harmful.... And what's in the starter that makes them love it so much???

And hens who aren't laying shouldn't eat laying feed? Why not? Is that only when they're older and stop laying altogether? Or also in the winter when they just aren't laying? My 8-year olds are still laying, but I'm wondering how I'm going to feed different types of food to some hens that are laying and others who aren't? How would one manage such a thing?

I'm looking to understand some science here, folks. Can anyone explain these feed issues to me?

 

[AlleysChicks]

Chick starter is fine for everyone as long you offer oyster shell on the side for the layers.

Layer feed has oyster shell added in so none laying birds should not eat it.

 

[thewatsonfarm]

Chick starter is fine for everyone as long you offer oyster shell on the side for the layers.

Layer feed has oyster shell added in so none laying birds should not eat it.

Is the chick starter inadequate because it lacks calcium the laying hens need? Is that why? Don't little chicks need calcium too? For growing little bones? Or maybe layer has too much calcium for the little ones?

 

[blackdog043]

I was just reading some other posts and read that my laying hens shouldn't eat chick starter? Why not?

They are fine eating Starter/grower or Flock Raiser for life. It has a higher protein content and less calcium in it. Just have oyster shell in a separate container for them, they will eat it, if/when they need it.

And hens who aren't laying shouldn't eat laying feed? Why not?

It has a higher calcium content and they don't need it. Chicks could get kidney damage.

I'm wondering how I'm going to feed different types of food to some hens that are laying and others who aren't? How would one manage such a thing?

Feed Starter/Grower or Flock Raiser to all of your chicks/chickens and have oyster shell in a separate container. Your problem is solved.
Quite a few people on here only use Starter/grower or Flock Raiser from day one and never change. I only feed Starter/Grower 20% protein, I never change feed. Hope this helps.

 

[thewatsonfarm]

They are fine eating Starter/grower or Flock Raiser for life. It has a higher protein content and less calcium in it. Just have oyster shell in a separate container for them, they will eat it, if/when they need it.



It has a higher calcium content and they don't need it. Chicks could get kidney damage.



Feed Starter/Grower or Flock Raiser to all of your chicks/chickens and have oyster shell in a separate container. Your problem is solved.
Quite a few people on here only use Starter/grower or Flock Raiser from day one and never change. I only feed Starter/Grower 20% protein, I never change feed. Hope this helps.

Thank you BlackDog043 -- that is super helpful!!!

 

[lazy gardener]

There are varied opinions. High calcium intake has been implicated in causing renal failure and gout in non laying birds. And high protein intake plays a role in gout in poultry and pet birds.

I take a bit of a different approach. I do not put my birds on a high protein diet, unless I am raising chicks. During chick time, the whole flock goes on unmedicated starter or multi flock. Any time after the chicks start clucking, I switch the entire flock back to layer. My roosters also get layer. No issues with gout, or renal failure, and the roosters live nice long lives, and remain healthy until they are removed from the flock.

I am not convinced that the higher protein diet is best for the back yard flock. But many folks justify it to offset the "treats" they provide for their birds.

 

[Kiki]

I recently came across some information I'd like to share.
I can't explain it in simple terms but if you read through it you may understand things a little better:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...t-poultry/nutritional-requirements-of-poultry
The charts there are very easy to read.
Notice they vary for age and type of chicken (chick/meat/laying hen)


eta. it even breaks down the calcium and protein requirements.