How to feed

[candkbowden]

Ok so I have 11 chicks about 3 to 4 months I also have 5 chickens about 1 to 1 a half old they are all in the same coop FINALLY how do I keep older chickens from wafting the grower feed and them eating there mash thanks

 

[peopleRanimals2]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/when-to-indroduce-new-chicks-to-my-flock.1177071/
The last couple posts in this thread talk about what to feed. A lot of people recommend feeding grower with oyster shell on the side to all of them until they can transition back to layer feed. When they start laying, or at about 5 or 6 months they can eat layer feed.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Thete is no issue with laying birds eating nonlayer ration, but there is potential harm in the younger birds eating layer feed so the easiest answer is feed everyone non-layer ration (many, myself included, go this route). Simply provide supplemental calcium for the laying birds. If the reverse were true a "creep feeder" that allowed only the smaller birds to get to the feed within would work, but would be ineffective for "protecting" feed in this situation as its the younger birds you want to keep out.