how can I keep my hen eating starter/grower or that keep the young ones from eating layer feed

[Ocala RIR]

My question is when I have say 12 week still on starter grower. They are mixed with the older hens. Hens have their layer feed. How do I keep everybody eat their own food.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You can't. The process is to remove the layer and feed everyone a grower or all flock feed. Nothing over 1% calcium till they're at least 18 weeks or laying.
Provide oyster shell or other large particle calcium source in a separate container for the layers.

 

[Blooie]

x2 I use starter/grower in my mixed flock. I have year old layers, a roo, and eleven 5-6 week old chicks out there. The roo and the chicks don't need the calcium but the layers do. So the solution is to feed something safe for all and provided the layers with the extra calcium they need via a separate dish of oyster shell.

 

[GuppyTJ]

Yup, you can't keep them separate. Everyone gets starter/grower and then put oyster shell or other calcium (smashed egg shells) in a separate container. The hens that need the calcium will take what they need from the separate container.

I just had a broody hen hatch 9 healthy chicks. I set out their own little chick feeder and chick waterer. But on their very first day of life, mother hen had taken the chicks across the coop to the big chicken feeder and was taking food out of it and dropping it on the ground for her baby chicks. I knew this would happen so I had already replaced the food in the big chicken feeder with starter/grower.

Don't take any chances. The calcium in layer feed will hurt the baby chicks. Give everyone starter/grower, put out oyster shell for the adults and then you don't have to worry about it. Anyone can eat from any feeder and everyone is safe and happy.

Guppy

 

[donrae]

What they all said lol.

 

[Ocala RIR]

Thanks I figure I would just keep them separated til maturity. I will get some oyster shell. I built a addition second coop with a door in between. But I have more babies. 3rd generation will need to get out of the outside brooder. Everybody see each other lol!