help with feeding

[supermom]

I have 2 chickens (polish crested & buff orpington) that are about 18 weeks old. They are not laying yet. I have 3 chicks (barred rock) that are about 7 weeks old any only have a few "baby" feathers around the neck area left. The chickens have all free ranged together without any problem and I want to mix them so that the chicks get out of the box in the garage. My issue is food. I can't get flock raiser at my local store. I have chicken crumble and medicated chick food (purina). How do I feed them so they can live together in the coop?

 

[pipermark]

You dont mention what kind of crumbles or what kind of medicated starter.

The babies (IMHO) need at least 18% protein, I prefer 20-24%. When I have a mixed flock , I feed to the youngest common denominator. This can slow egg prodcution , but thats not a big deal for me.


Medicated feed 2 types , one to help prevent cocci. has a thiamine inhibitor. The other has antibiotics, the only reason for it is to make the birds grow quicker and larger. I do not believe in feeding this type of feed. It is my personal belief that having antibiotics in their feed at that young of an age diminishes their immune systems.


So if I were you, which I am not, but if I were I would feed my flock non medicated starter/grower that has 18% or greater protein content.

 

[JennsPeeps]

I'd offer both. The laying hens will seek out extra calcium when they need it.

Other suggestions?

 

[supermom]

I'm new at this: okay, my chick food was non medicated chick crumble from the feed store. When I ran out of that I switched to purina start and grow and the older chickens are eating a crumble that I bought at at food store in bulk when I bought the chicks. The food store salesperson said it was laying crumble with a 21% protein count. I am also supplying oyster shell for my older chickens.
Knowing this, how should I feed my chickens together?
Thanks for your patience!!!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

With most all my chickens and chicks running together, I leave a feeder of each kind out. I do put the layer up a bit higher so the new chicks won't get all in but those little dears couldn't eat the pellets anyhow.
Most of my chickens, ranging in ages from newly hatched to 2 years old prefer the Blue Seal chick and Game starter, 21%. My hens lay great and the chicks grow really well. I also feed a developer to the 16 week olds and they will get some of it and the 21% starter. I got some big chickens!

 

[digitS']

Your 7 week olds should not be eating layer feed, they aren't old enough to deal with all the calcium. They are old enough for a grower formula.

You say you don't have Flock Raiser available but isn't there a grower from another company at the feed store? The 18 week olds can get their calcium as they need it from the oyster shells.

Steve