How to feed when adults are mixed with chicks?

[Lucy4]

So my two month old girls are about to move from my house into the coop with my other three girls (2 are 4 years old, 1 is a year.). I'm very confused about feeding. Technically my young ones should be on grower, and my older girls on layer, but there's no way to insure they'll eat that way when they're all in the same place!

My chicken farmer friend says she lets them all eat layena and doesn't worry about it. But I just read the higher calcium levels could be bad for my chicks kidneys.

How do you all manage this?

Thanks!!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Simply don't feed Layer. It's really that simple.

All birds can eat Raiser, Grower, non-medicated Starter, All Flock, etc. Easy as pie.

Just provide a calcium source for the laying birds, such as shells, on the side. Normally, young birds that don't desire or need the bonus calcium don't mess with it much.

 

[Eggcessive]

Layer feed has 3 times the calcium that chicks need, and they can suffer kidney damage and gout later on. Feed them an all flock raiser 20% or unmedicated chick starter/grower 18-20% feed, then put crushed oyster shell or eggshells out for the layers. The chicks won't usually eat much of that. Sorry Fred you type faster than I do.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Your neighbor is one of those common folk who because they cannot see the potential, internal damage, don't worry about it. However, multiple studies clearly show that while all feed has some calcium, the high level of calcium in Layer formulas is indeed tough on non-laying birds' kidneys and renal tract. The evidence, the studies, complete with nasty photos of dissected birds is plenty evidentiary.

Of course, many folks either don't wish to read up on these matters or simply do not care? Who knows.

Eggcessive,

 

[Lucy4]

Ok, thank you so much. That's helpful.

 

[lcahill]

I just integrated 25 layers (18 months) to my flock of young birds (six 18 week olds and 17 12 week olds) and was curious about the same thing.

And now I know.