Integrated layers with not yet layers....how do I feed them both?

[ddmiddle7]

So I am getting ready to integrate two 9 month old hens to my five 13 week olds. Question is how do I go about providing the two different ages their proper feed when I put them together. I am going to keep them separate but allow free ranging together for at least 2-3 more weeks. Unless I find out another reason not to.
How do you guys do this when you integrate layers with younger, not yet laying hens?

Thanks,
Dereck

 

[Ridgerunner]

At that age, I feed Grower to all of them with a container of Oyster Shell on the side. The ones that need calcium ge it. The ones that don't, don't.

 

[BellevueOmlet]

I feed them all developer feed and have a side tray with shells. The older birds eat the shells to get their calcium and they all eat developer so the young chickens only get what they should have.

 

[ddmiddle7]

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Really? why wouldn't you switch to Layer feed?
Everything I have read says to switch to Layer feed when they start laying, right? Right now I am giving them both this: DuMOR

Poultry Grower/Finisher 15% Feed, since that is what I was feeding my flock before I got the two 9 month olds. I was going to head to TSC today and get some of this: DuMOR

Poultry Layer 16% Crumble for the older two.

Should I just stick with the Grower/Finisher for both and provide Oyster Shell for the older ones? Like i said they are in seperate coops right now, just trying to plan ahead.

Thanks,
Dereck

 

[saladin]

My opinion is that is way to young. I integrate new pullets into the flock at 20 weeks of age. That way they can stand up to the beating they are going to get.

 

[ECBW]

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Am I reading this correctly? Your 13-week-olds are laying? What breed are they?

 

[ddmiddle7]

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The 13 week olds are the flock...I want to integrate the two new ones in with them...will this not work? If not I am going to have to figure something else out for the two older ones....since I took over our storage shed and blocked in all of our stuff with a wall so I could house these two temporarily. My wife isn't going to be happy she can't get to her stuff for even longer if that is the case. I got these two hens due to the fact they would be homeless if I didn't...my firend had to move into an apartment so I took them at last minutes notice badically.

 

[ddmiddle7]

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Am I reading this correctly? Your 13-week-olds are laying? What breed are they?

NO they are the not yet laying hens. The 13 week olds are my original flock and I have adopted these two 9 month olds and want to add them to my flock of 5.

 

[Dutchgirl]

I feed them all layer by that time. Having layer food doesn't hurt the non-layers (just so long as they aren't still chicks), just like roosters can eat layer food.

 

[ECBW]

Quote:
Am I reading this correctly? Your 13-week-olds are laying? What breed are they?

NO they are the not yet laying hens. The 13 week olds are my original flock and I have adopted these two 9 month olds and want to add them to my flock of 5.

Got it. I think the biggest challenge is keeping the 13-week-olds from being bullied too much. Even though they are the incumbents, they are too small. Feed is really not a problem, as the 13-week-olds will develop just fine on layer's feed. Firsthand experience.