How to feed pullets and older birds

[AmeliaRB]

I have 2 older hens and have added in several pullets to the flock. I was feeding them separately (layer feed for big gals and medicated chick starter for the new gals) but recently read I could feed unmedicated chick feed to ALL the birds as long as I offered oyster shell for the older gals. This simplifies thigs for me so I gave it a shot. The problem is that I have noticed on occasion the pullets picking at the oyster shell and I am worried it will cause them health problems (kidneys). The pullets are Blue Producers and about 6 weeks old. They don’t have any “grit” but the run is dirt. Thanks for any guidance.

 

[DobieLover]

I have 2 older hens and have added in several pullets to the flock. I was feeding them separately (layer feed for big gals and medicated chick starter for the new gals) but recently read I could feed unmedicated chick feed to ALL the birds as long as I offered oyster shell for the older gals. This simplifies thigs for me so I gave it a shot. The problem is that I have noticed on occasion the pullets picking at the oyster shell and I am worried it will cause them health problems (kidneys). The pullets are Blue Producers and about 6 weeks old. They don’t have any “grit” but the run is dirt. Thanks for any guidance.

The pullets will pick at it and eat some out of curiosity. It won't hurt them. My idiot rooster was cleaning up the last of the crushed egg shell I leave out for my hens!

 

[RoosterML]

Chick starter,grower, all Flock,flock raiser are good choices for your situation. I would add grit with larger and smaller birds together mix 50/50 chick grit with larger grit. Obviously you have the oyster shell already. Don’t worry about the curiosity of the chicks eating some.

 

[GC-Raptor]

They don’t have any “grit” but the run is dirt.

The run will run out of small stones if it hasn't already, from the Hens living there.
I would offer them Poultry Grit soon.
7 weeks is when you can transition from Chick Grit. There are some smaller stones in there and they're almost 7 weeks anyway. . GC

 

[Henriettamom919]

So at seven +weeks you can have all your girls on one food? I feed scratch n peck and was thinking of buying the 16% and just feeding it all around?

Will fermenting help make it more of an all around feed?

I'm in the same boat as OP.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

So at seven +weeks you can have all your girls on one food? I feed scratch n peck and was thinking of buying the 16% and just feeding it all around?

Will fermenting help make it more of an all around feed?

I'm in the same boat as OP.

If you are talking about starter, grower or similar feed you can but not if you are talking about layer feed.
Birds that young need about 1% calcium. Always check the guaranteed analysis tag. Layer feed is about 4% calcium. All others are 1%+.
GC's suggestion was at 7 weeks they can all eat the same size grit - not the same food.

 

[Henriettamom919]

If you are talking about starter, grower or similar feed you can but not if you are talking about layer feed.
Birds that young need about 1% calcium. Always check the guaranteed analysis tag. Layer feed is about 4% calcium. All others are 1%+.
GC's suggestion was at 7 weeks they can all eat the same size grit - not the same food.

Ah, I see! I've noticed most foods make a stage for 8 week to layer age, but I've also read that some just continue with their starter feed through "adolescence". Any preferences/thoughts?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

My suggestion is, if in doubt, follow the feeding schedule on the bag. The manufacturer has the research like we all do and know what life stage for whom they formulated the feed in that bag.
In brief, there is little difference in nutrients of all feeds except calcium and protein/amino acids.
Chicks need higher protein (18-22%) for rapidly growing systems. Protein content can be reduced as they mature.
IMHO, most people over feed protein to birds over 12-14 weeks. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing.
Any birds not actively laying aren't layers and shouldn't have layer feed.

You can glean more complete information in the following charts and tables.
https://extension2.missouri.edu/g8352

 

[rosemarythyme]

So at seven +weeks you can have all your girls on one food? I feed scratch n peck and was thinking of buying the 16% and just feeding it all around?

Will fermenting help make it more of an all around feed?

I've also read that some just continue with their starter feed through "adolescence". Any preferences/thoughts?

It's a personal preference. Some folks love progressing up to layer feeds, others never use it. Some folks keep their flock on all flock their entire lives. The only thing I would suggest against is feeding layer feed early, as the calcium in there is meant for birds that are actively using it up through laying.

For me, I would consider feeding a grower or all flock feed exclusively but I prefer pellets over crumble and haven't found a pelleted grower that I like, so I feed my birds half layer pellets and half fermented S&P grower.

Fermenting won't change what it is (if it's layer feed, it's layer feed) but if you plan on continuing with S&P brand feeds I'd suggest trying it, as it'll help reduce waste by encouraging the chickens to eat all the proteins and vitamins that are in the powdered fines that often gets left behind.