Help -12 mth and 12 wk old bantams eating each others food Dangerous??

[Aussie new mum]

Hi
My 12 month old Lolly and 12 week old Olivia seem to be getting on ok with just a few squables. They are now sharing the same coop. Olivia still runs away if she gets a look from Lolly but manages to run in and steal treats away. My question is, as they are sharing the same coop, they have 2 water containers and grower food for Olivia and layer mix for Lolly. Lolly eats some grower food so we haven't been eating her eggs due to the medication in the feed and Olivia has been eating some treats but has access to heaps of dirt and grit. How can I make sure Olivia is eating enough grower food as she free ranges with Lolly during the day and will the layer mix hurt her if she eats some of that?

 

[MissPrissy]

You can give them both starter/grower and make sure the older hen has access to oyster shells. With free ranging they will tend to eat less feed any way.

Why is the hen on medicated feed? Boil her eggs and feed themback to her and the other chicken. Excellent source of protein. If she isn't sick I would discontinue the medicated feed.

 

[henjoy]

I don't think you'll have any problems. I would stop using the medicated ration altogether and use the layer feed for both. Since the younger one has access to free range, I don't think she will eat an unhealthy (for her) amount of layer ration. She will pick up most of her food as she forages throughout her day anyway. We use this method when our younger chicks join the flock and haven't had any problems. Then, too, if you use only the layer ration, you won't have to discard the eggs from your older hen once the medicated feed is out of her system.

 

[Aussie new mum]

Quote:
Thanks so much for that. The people at the produce store told me to use the grower food - they are all medicated. I don't think I can get grower feed over here without it being medicated. Can the little one eat something other than the medicated grower food plus the boiled eggs I give them?

 

[Aussie new mum]

Quote:
Thanks so much for that. Where I am in Aus all the grower feed seems to be medicated. I also make sure there is grit in a bowl and also scatter some around. It will be nice to eat the older one's eggs again.

 

[MissPrissy]

I am confident if you ask around you will find feed that is not medicated.

It is not rocket science. Feed your hens, enjoy the eggs.