Layer Food vs Grower Food

[Creteloc]

I keep reading that if a chicken isn't laying yet, then layer food and oyster shell is bad for them. That brings up an odd questions.

I have a RIR that is getting a comb that's turning red. My EE doesn't even had a comb yet. Both are the same age, but by breed 'norms' they will start laying eggs about 2-5 months apart.

How do I ensure the RIR gets the layer food and oyster shell she needs but the EE doesn't get sick eating layer food when she's not laying yet? I don't have two separate coops.

That question even confuses me, so I hope it makes sense.

 

[SueT]

Feed both the grower feed,, with oyster shell on the side. They eat the oyster shell only if it's needed.

 

[lazy gardener]

You can ALWAYS offer oyster shell free choice. Your birds will eat it if they need it, and they will leave it if they do not need it. Many folks use Multi flock or grower (greater than 16% protein) for all of their flock needs, no matter the age or the gender. And that approach is perfectly fine.

After doing the homework, I have chosen to put my entire flock on unmedicated starter when I have chicks, and switch them to layer after the pullets go through puberty. No matter what side of many issues you fall on, here on BYC, you will often find some one who agrees with you and some one who disagrees! Read the research pertaining to high calcium and renal failure, and high protein and gout in birds, and make your own decision based on what seems to be a logical choice for you. Either approach is valid.

 

[azygous]

Most of us with mixed flocks, roosters, adolescent birds, old "retired" hens as well as laying hens, don't ever feed layer feed at all. It's too much hassle. Instead we feed grower feed to the entire flock all the time all year round. Forever. We supply oyster shell in free choice containers hung around the perimeter of the run, and layers get all the calcium they need that way.

A bonus is the grower has higher protein so it really helps in curbing feather picking, and during molt, it supplies the extra protein they need for feather growth.

Quite honestly, I can't see why anyone bothers with layer feed.

 

[Creteloc]

Thank you so much! That seems like the easier option. I like the grower food a lot. It has little chunks of corn in it and my girls love it. I'll offer up some oyster shell as soon as my RIR's comb swells. I'm sure it's still a month or so off.

 

[aart]

I like the grower food a lot. It has little chunks of corn in it and my girls love it.

Not all grower has 'chunks of corn'...some is pelleted or crumbled.
The important thing is to pay more attention to the tag sewn into the bottom of the bag that lists the nutrient percentages, than the pretty lettering, labels, and claims on the front of the bag.

I like to feed a flock raiser/starter/grower/finisher type feed with 20% protein crumble full time to all ages and genders, as non-layers(chicks, males and molting birds) do not need the extra calcium that is in layer feed and chicks and molters can use the extra protein. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat. I do grind up the crumbles (in the blender) for the chicks for the first week or so.

The higher protein crumble also offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer daily. I adjust the amounts of other feeds to get the protein levels desired with varying situations.
Calcium should be available at all times for the layers, I use oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container. I also regularly offer digestive granite grit in the appropriate size, throw it out on the ground with the scratch. http://www.jupefeeds-sa.com/documents/GraniteGrit.pdf.

Animal protein (a freshly trapped mouse, a bit of canned mackerel, mealworms, a little cheese - beware the salt content, meat scraps) is provided once in while and during molting and/or if I see any feather eating.