In a bad spot -- 2 month olds and 5 month olds

[Dandelle]

Hello, I currently have three ~2-month-olds and three ~5-month-olds that are living together. I'm currently feeding them medicated chick feed, but I know that it's almost time for the older ones to start eating laying feed. I talked to someone at the feed store, and he said to get 20% laying mash, that the calcium won't hurt the younger ones.
I'm just wondering if this is sound advice since I've heard calcium is bad for non-laying chickens. And is it indeed bad to eat eggs from medicated-feed-eating hens? The stuff in my feed is called "monensin". Also, at 2 months do they still really need the medicated feed?

Hopefully I can get this whole feed situation worked out

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

You can just feed everyone Flock Raiser (20% protein) and give oyster shells on the side.

If you want to go organic you can feed organic chick starter (which is nonmedicated) and give oyster shells on the side. If you want the protein a little lower you can cut it with some other grain (I feed millet, cracked corn, wheat, rolled barley, rolled oats mixed with other things and org. chick starter as my permanent feed- I also provide oyster shell and grit).

Yes don't feed layer to those who haven't reached near the POL yet (point of lay). It can cause kidney and bone damage.

 

[Dandelle]

Ah ok, thanks! I was thinking of getting something like flock raiser, but the man at the feed store just seemed so confident. Once I run out of the rest of the medicated feed, I'll pick up some flock raiser. I just hope the layer mash will last 3 months

 

[leadwolf1]

Get it now and mix it together so that they get used to the new taste...chickens can be finicky!

Ah ok, thanks! I was thinking of getting something like flock raiser, but the man at the feed store just seemed so confident. Once I run out of the rest of the medicated feed, I'll pick up some flock raiser. I just hope the layer mash will last 3 months

 

[Dandelle]

Oooh, thanks for the info! I would have never thought to do that

 

[leadwolf1]

I've always changed for this way. I think it stems from raising dogs, cats and other mammals that suffer intestinal upset. So, I just did it for the chickens, too. Then, I started seeing threads about chickens not eating their food and slowly starving. Turns out, they just didn't like their food change..so, I now offer up this advice.