Integrating pullets into flock - feed question

[cluckcluckhens]

If you have foxes and other predators are a problem, then fortifying your chicken run is a good preventive measure. That means extending a chicken wire roof overhead. At the bottom, fortify the fence so the predators are unable to dig under the fence. Extending a chicken wire roof means setting up some 2x4 framing and a few center posts to support the framing.

Over the course of the last year we lost all but one of our 18 chickens. We always lose a few here and there to foxes or coyotes, maybe one dies here and there from being egg bound, etc., but a mink or ferret (couldn't tell the difference when I trapped it) decimated our flock and killed seven one day then another eight the next day. We have one layer left and she is an older 4 years old hen.

We picked up 23 chicks in the spring and they are eight weeks old pullets now. The pullets are in a temporary coop in our barn where normally I keep them there until 15-16 weeks old when I transition them off medicated chick feed and integrate them into the coop where they start on layer feed (with egg shell and grit added).

We didn't want our sole adult hen to be alone so she is in the barn with the pullets, but we only put her food out when the pullets are locked in the temp coop (hen doesn't get locked in the temp coop, she has free reign of the barn).

I'd like to just put everyone, my remaining hen and the 23 pullets, in my main coop but I would have no way of having separate food (medicated crumbles for the pullets for 7-8 more weeks, and layer feed for the one hen).

Can I just fill my feeders with the medicated food and have the adult hen eat that? Or at 8 weeks can I transition my pullets off the medicated chick feed and just give them the layer feed I give my hen? Or is there a feed that is somewhere in the middle? Also, if I migrate my pullets off the medicated chick feed should I be adding oyster shells and grit to their new feed so the one hen gets those additives in her diet?

Also, I'm not concerned about getting eggs from my last layer. At age 4 she doesn't lay much anymore anyway. I just want one feed so I can integrate them in the main coop.

 

[Godzillamax]

If you have foxes and other predators are a problem, then fortifying your chicken run is a good preventive measure. That means extending a chicken wire roof overhead. At the bottom, fortify the fence so the predators are unable to dig under the fence. Extending a chicken wire roof means setting up some 2x4 framing and a few center posts to support the framing.

We free range our chickens during the day and it's while they are out of the coop that a fox or coyote occasionally kills one. The coop and run was well fortified when we built it, with all the measures you mentioned, but a mink moved into the area and found a small gap and got in which is how we lost so many in a few days.

We never saw mink in our area so it wasn't a predator we thought to fortify the coop/run against. It gained entrance via a 1" gap between the coop and run.

Since then we closed that gap and a few other small ones. A mouse couldn't get in now.

 

[Mosey2003]

It's easiest and best to simply feed to the youngest common denominator. In other words, if you have chicks, everyone should be eating chick feed (if they're together or will be together). Most all medicated feed commonly available in the US has amprolium added to it, the medicine that's in Corid, so it is totally fine to feed to adults and laying hens, no egg withdrawal. Personally, I wouldn't want adults on medicated feed super long term as it does block the absorption of the B-vitamin Thiamine, but for a few weeks it's not a really big deal.

 

[cluckcluckhens]

A little medicated is not a big deal mixed with the hens feed but since the chicks are in the run now, Hens haven't touched their feed in days. They want the chicks feed. I have to figure out a way to get Hens to eat their feed now.

 

[rosemarythyme]

A little medicated is not a big deal mixed with the hens feed but since the chicks are in the run now, Hens haven't touched their feed in days. They want the chicks feed. I have to figure out a way to get Hens to eat their feed now.

Why complicate it? Just get unmedicated feed and let them all eat the same thing. Hens sure do love chick feed.

 

[cluckcluckhens]

Why complicate it? Just get unmedicated feed and let them all eat the same thing. Hens sure do love chick feed.

I have both feeds in the run but the Hens feed is pellets not crumbs. Not sure if the chicks will eat pellets.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have both feeds in the run but the Hens feed is pellets not crumbs. Not sure if the chicks will eat pellets.

The chicks shouldn't have any access to layer feed. What I'm saying is, put them all on the chick feed (or a grower/all flock if you prefer) and continue with that until the chicks are ready to lay. At that time you can switch back to layer pellets if that's your preference.

 

[nearorange]

Over the course of the last year we lost all but one of our 18 chickens. We always lose a few here and there to foxes or coyotes, maybe one dies here and there from being egg bound, etc., but a mink or ferret (couldn't tell the difference when I trapped it) decimated our flock and killed seven one day then another eight the next day. We have one layer left and she is an older 4 years old hen.

We picked up 23 chicks in the spring and they are eight weeks old pullets now. The pullets are in a temporary coop in our barn where normally I keep them there until 15-16 weeks old when I transition them off medicated chick feed and integrate them into the coop where they start on layer feed (with egg shell and grit added).

We didn't want our sole adult hen to be alone so she is in the barn with the pullets, but we only put her food out when the pullets are locked in the temp coop (hen doesn't get locked in the temp coop, she has free reign of the barn).

I'd like to just put everyone, my remaining hen and the 23 pullets, in my main coop but I would have no way of having separate food (medicated crumbles for the pullets for 7-8 more weeks, and layer feed for the one hen).

Can I just fill my feeders with the medicated food and have the adult hen eat that? Or at 8 weeks can I transition my pullets off the medicated chick feed and just give them the layer feed I give my hen? Or is there a feed that is somewhere in the middle? Also, if I migrate my pullets off the medicated chick feed should I be adding oyster shells and grit to their new feed so the one hen gets those additives in her diet?

Also, I'm not concerned about getting eggs from my last layer. At age 4 she doesn't lay much anymore anyway. I just want one feed so I can integrate them in the main coop.

Hi, I'm new to the group and not sure that I am replying in the correct spot, but was happy to see your post. I also lost all my flock but one 4 year old hen, to a coyote 4 weeks ago. i have 5 pullets now to introduce into the coop and i was more concerned with the dynamic of one hen, and 5 pullets. I've never had this situation occur before. Did you have any problems with the one hen? I'm definetly going to feed the whole flock the unmedicated chick feed and put out oyster shells for the hen. The hen is still laying every other day.

 

[Mosey2003]

Hi, I'm new to the group and not sure that I am replying in the correct spot, but was happy to see your post. I also lost all my flock but one 4 year old hen, to a coyote 4 weeks ago. i have 5 pullets now to introduce into the coop and i was more concerned with the dynamic of one hen, and 5 pullets. I've never had this situation occur before. Did you have any problems with the one hen? I'm definetly going to feed the whole flock the unmedicated chick feed and put out oyster shells for the hen. The hen is still laying every other day.

That should be fine, they'll outnumber the older hen, so should be less squabbling. If it were one pullet and 5 older hens, it would be pretty rough.