Keeping different feeds separate

[Studio2770]

We have 2 8 week old cochins and a 7 week old EE. We are starting to merge them with our 5 leghorns that have been laying for at least a week. We keep the older ones in the coop while the little ones have the run. I hope we can integrate the newbies at 10 weeks old. Since the older ones are on layer feed, the little ones will be on grower of course. Do I just have to trust that the younger ones stick to their feed and the layers stick to layer feed? Or can the layers eat grower but the younger ones can't eat layer?

 

[Kelsie2290]

The layers can eat grower feed, the young ones should not eat the layer because of the extra calcium. You can not trust the young ones not to eat the layer, they will. I, like most people with a mixed age flock find the easiest thing to do is just feed an all-ages type food, grower, starter, flock raiser etc, usually around 18-20% protein. Just have extra calcium/shell on the side for the layers, the chicks will generally just ignore that.

 

[Studio2770]

Hmm I would hope the TSC near me will have that feed.

 

[Kelsie2290]

TSC carries Purina products, they have a 20% Flock Raiser. TSC's own brand Dumor has a 15% grower and 20 & 24% chick starter, if you want to lower the protein and keep everybody around 16-17% you can add some scratch or mix it with the grower.