Grit size for mixed age flock

[BooBooMagoo]

I’ll be integrating the littles (11ish weeks) with the bigs soon. I’ve gotten all flock 20% protein and already have grit and oyster shells free choice for the bigs but the grit is too big for the littles. Can I mix the chick grit with the bigger grit or do I need to put it in a separate container for them? Also since the layers won’t be getting faster release calcium from their feed anymore do I need to start giving them back their eggshells? I have them side by side in separate coops/runs for the last 3 weeks so hoping the transition is smooth. Still trying to fix a little lower roosting area up for the littles in the big coop and dealing with a broken foot in a boot so procrastinating just a tad. Thanks in advance!

 

[rosemarythyme]

You can put a mix of grit sizes in the container.

For standard sized birds I use chick grit to about 8 weeks, then I offer a mix of grower (pullet) and layer (hen) grit as I have a mixed age, mixed breed flock and some of the birds prefer a smaller grit. If you want to simplify you can just go from chick to layer grit, and let the birds pick out the size they need.

 

[BooBooMagoo]

Thanks that will make it super easy!

 

[BooBooMagoo]

What about the fast acting calcium from changing them to all flock? Just the oyster shells or should I give them eggshells to make up for losing it in the layer feed?

 

[rosemarythyme]

What about the fast acting calcium from changing them to all flock? Just the oyster shells or should I give them eggshells to make up for losing it in the layer feed?

Personally I would offer either all oyster, or oyster + eggshell (if some birds are not as keen on eating oyster shell). Without the extra calcium in the feed you want to make sure that calcium is readily available and palatable to all the adults.