Ideas to seperate feed?

[Chickengirl209]

Any ideas on separating feed?
I have some 12wk olds and some pullets that just started laying.
I've read that it's necessary to feed the older ones layer feed because of the medication put in the chick feed. But even though the older ones need layer feed, the 12wk olds still need chick feed. (Is that correct?) I prefer to keep them all together, but what should I do about feeding them their different feeds? Any ideas on this?

 

[janiedoe]

I feed everyone in my flock a starter/grower.
I have chickens 0 to 7 years, layers, and roosters. That's why I don't use layer feed.
Just be sure that your layers have oyster shell calcium available.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I usually recommend that the typical backyard owner, of the typical backyard flock, with typical backyard management practices feed an All Flock/Flock Raiser* type crumble to all their birds, all their lives, with free choice grit, osyter shell, and fresh clean water available at all times in seperate dishes. Without regard to age, gender, onset of of lay, condition of molt, etc.

*Essentially an 18-20% protein, 3.5% fat+/-, 1.5% calcium +/-, 3.5% fiber +/- feed, preferably with about .6% Phosphorus, at least .35% Methionine, and .7% Lysine.

Because its easy for you, and its good nutrition for them.

All of my adult birds - chickens and ducks - get exactly the same feed, which happens to be 20% protein. I feed my youngsters a higher protein mix for their first 6-8 weeks (basically, until they join the adult flock) as I have facilites to separate the flocks. My reasons for that are complicated, its not something I recommend for everyone. But All Flock, all the time, for all the birds of all the genders is a safe and easy way to raise chickens, ducks, geese. Doing something different has limited benefits in limited conditions, and should only be considered after weighing all practical options.

My flock is in my Sig, below. You can see the results of me feed regimen here.

If you have eaten supermarket eggs, there is a good chance you ate eggs from birds fed medicated feed on the day the egg was laid. While its not encouraged, and all that Amprolium has a cost (so many commercial facilities try to avoid it), its not prohibited. There is no withdrawal period before eating eggs from Amprolium-fed birds. Amprolium is a thiamine antagonist - you would have to eat so many eggs you'd be suffering from other dietary maladies before the quantity of consumed Amprolium might affect a human body mass, and then a simple B-complex vitamin would counteract the effects.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I feed everyone Purina 20% Flock Raiser Crumbles and oyster shell on the side. Everyone is healthy and happy.

 

[Chickengirl209]

Thank you all so much for the tips!
I will try them out.

 

[Chickengirl209]

I feed everyone in my flock a starter/grower.
I have chickens 0 to 7 years, layers, and roosters. That's why I don't use layer feed.
Just be sure that your layers have oyster shell calcium available.

I have medicated. Do you feed yours medicated?

 

[Chickengirl209]

I usually recommend that the typical backyard owner, of the typical backyard flock, with typical backyard management practices feed an All Flock/Flock Raiser* type crumble to all their birds, all their lives, with free choice grit, osyter shell, and fresh clean water available at all times in seperate dishes. Without regard to age, gender, onset of of lay, condition of molt, etc.

*Essentially an 18-20% protein, 3.5% fat+/-, 1.5% calcium +/-, 3.5% fiber +/- feed, preferably with about .6% Phosphorus, at least .35% Methionine, and .7% Lysine.

Because its easy for you, and its good nutrition for them.

All of my adult birds - chickens and ducks - get exactly the same feed, which happens to be 20% protein. I feed my youngsters a higher protein mix for their first 6-8 weeks (basically, until they join the adult flock) as I have facilites to separate the flocks. My reasons for that are complicated, its not something I recommend for everyone. But All Flock, all the time, for all the birds of all the genders is a safe and easy way to raise chickens, ducks, geese. Doing something different has limited benefits in limited conditions, and should only be considered after weighing all practical options.

My flock is in my Sig, below. You can see the results of me feed regimen here.

If you have eaten supermarket eggs, there is a good chance you ate eggs from birds fed medicated feed on the day the egg was laid. While its not encouraged, and all that Amprolium has a cost (so many commercial facilities try to avoid it), its not prohibited. There is no withdrawal period before eating eggs from Amprolium-fed birds. Amprolium is a thiamine antagonist - you would have to eat so many eggs you'd be suffering from other dietary maladies before the quantity of consumed Amprolium might affect a human body mass, and then a simple B-complex vitamin would counteract the effects.

Thank you! That clears things up a lot.

 

[Brooks_]

I have medicated

Medicated for all will be fine.

 

[janiedoe]

I have medicated. Do you feed yours medicated?

No. I never use medicated, but I'm sure it will be fine.

 

[Chickengirl209]

Thanks