How old can my chicks be before they can eat layer feed?

[chickenscratch]

It's quite a chore keeping my chicks and their hen separate from the other hens. When can I let them betogether at which time the chicks will have access to the layer feed which I know they shouldn't have now.

 

[MissPrissy]

You can feed them all a starter/grower or a flock raiser. If the chicks are fed only laying feed they will consume too much calcium and end up with kidney blockage or failure.

 

[dacjohns]

It isn't something I'm worrying about. One of my hens with chicks (just over a week old) is running around the coop and the yard when she wants to. The chicks are eating whatever they find just like nature intended. I do put grower feed in their part of the coop but they don't eat it all. The other chickens and the mice find it.

I understand that layer feed has a lower protein content than grower which has a lower content than started. About the only drawback I see is slower growth. Also, I wouldn't want the adults to eat medicated feed. Most chick feed I've seen is medicated.

So, my hen and chicks are with the other chickens during the day.

Not that what I'm doing is the best way, it's just how I'm doing it.