layer feed, grower feed, two different ages

[Hennyhandler]

I have two sets of chickens. one should be laying soon, i have one that has just started

and the other set won't be for awhile. i'm planning on integrating them together soon and so my questions are:
Do i need to give only grower and wait until they are going to lay to give all of them layer?
Do i provide both and hope the right chicken gets the right feed?

Also i was wondering should i start giving layer even though only one of them is laying? like i said the others shouldn't be far behind.
Any info on any of this would be wonderful or even extra info.

 

[emzee]

I would go ahead and give them both layer feed if the other set will be laying in the next month or so.

 

[ERnoleGuy]

I also have a mixed flock. Only one pullet is laying. 2 are about to start laying. And 6 of them are only about 9 wks old. I have been putting out crushed oyster shell (free choice) and my laying pullet is the only one who touches it. I also keep it high enough so the little ones can't reach it too easily, but my bigger girls can. I have had beautiful, very hard shelled eggs. Aren't chickens so smart!

 

[Domestic_goddess]

I had 2 different ages and 4 of which should lay soon and gave them all layer feed.

 

[Sequin]

I had ages ranging from 1 year to 2 months. I mixed layer and grower together(they all free range as well). The shells of my laying hens did not suffer any and everyone has been growing and laying and happy with the mixture.