Keeping pullets and hens innthe same area on dif. Feeds...

[mikegar21]

Anyone ever had 8 week old chicks - 5 month old chicks I'n the same fenced I'n run / hen house? How do you get the 8 week old chicks to eat the chick sarter, and the hens to eat layer feed???

Any input would be Much appreciated.

Bay area Mike

 

[AlanW]

Give them flock raiser, or whatever, that is high in protein. Then offer oyster shell for the older pullets when they begin laying.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

You can feed Flock Raiser (20% protein) to everyone and oyster shell on the side for the layers. Or unmedicated chick starter. Or grower.

I would throw them some scratch too (the teenager chickens) to prevent reproductive problems...best to not spend the teenage months on 20% protein I have read...17% is better. So you can just toss some scratch out for them too to kind of lower that protein if you go with the higher protein feed for everyone.

So, in essence, it would be the BEST to feed everyone the grower feed, which is perfect for the little ones, and give oyster shell on the side for the layers. Then you woudn't need to be tossing scratch out to lower the protein.

If your eggshells get soft then you can mix in the oyster shell...flemingoutdoors.com has a recommendation for amount on their sale page for oyster shell if you need to do this. I have to mix my oystershell in as I make my own layer feed basically or the eggshells get soft in my flock.

 

[mikegar21]

Awesome. Thanks for all the info. I am currently mixing into my layer feed the oyster shell. I'm getting good shell output from my current hens. I'n going to pick up another batch of 6 chicks this weekend so that why I'm asking this all I'n advance.

Thanks!!

-Mike

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Awesome. Thanks for all the info. I am currently mixing into my layer feed the oyster shell. I'm getting good shell output from my current hens. I'n going to pick up another batch of 6 chicks this weekend so that why I'm asking this all I'n advance.

Thanks!!

-Mike

If you are feeding layer feed, there is no need to mix oyster shell into it, as it already has increased calcium for egglaying. In fact, you may increase the calcium too much if you do so. This can lead to kidney and bone problems for your layers. However, offering oyster shell free choice is a very good idea and they do like to pick up some extra calcium- from my experience- this way.

It is only if you are "making" your own layer feed that the calcium content would need to be examined and fixed. Most people on BYC prefer to give the oyster shell free choice and not mix it in when they make their own feed. I like to mix mine in.

I hope this clarifies things. You are welcome!

 

[mikegar21]

Thanks for the advise Sweet.

I buy all organic chicken layer feed from Costco. And it tell you to add oyster shell to it. It's one of the few feeds that doesn't have the high calcium. Don't know why. But for where I live. You can't beat Costcos prices.

I also feed them superworms that I raise at my house A's well. And thoes are high I'n nutes..

Thanks for all the info peps. Looks like I need sone new feed for the next few months..

Thanks all
-bay area Mike

 

[gander007]

If you are keeping them in the same coop good luck on feeding them different feed's but I would use a flock feed as the protean is there