Medicated Feed when chicks are integrating with the oldies

[Justicedog]

I've got about 5 gallons of the medicated chick starter left and it's time to combine my 11 week littles with 6 year olds. So, I understand that the layer feed isn't good for the littles (I've got about 5 gallons of an opened bag of that left, as well as a newer bag of layena free range layer feed, which will just have to wait a couple months).

Will the oldies have any issues if they eat some of the medicated chick starter? I would really like to get rid of the old stuff.

I'm planning on buying some non-medicated starter/grower or a flock raiser feed, some oyster shell (so the oldies can get some calcium) and some scratch (because who doesn't like treats? - but I'll use sparingly to hopefully make integration go happier)

What can go wrong?

 

[Kiki]

Don't buy the scratch.

The oldies should have no problem eating the chick feed just get the oyster shell now instead of later.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The medicated chick feed is fine for both chicks and adults, until you finish using it up.

 

[Ravenseye]

Don't worry about the medicated feed. The adults will be fine with it.

 

[Justicedog]

I took away the layer feed and set up an oyster shell trough. Who do I see feeding there? The littles. The old hens looked at it and walked away.

So far, integration seems to be going okay. Old girl chased the new ones once, another old girl gave a little a hard peck. I did find one feather off of one of the littles in the run, which must have happened while I was away.

I've opened the run and the oldies have free range of the back yard, the littles are staying in or near the run.

How much is too much calcium for a little? How can one tell if they've had too much? Are they smart enough to stop eating it?

 

[SueT]

I took away the layer feed and set up an oyster shell trough. Who do I see feeding there? The littles. The old hens looked at it and walked away.

So far, integration seems to be going okay. Old girl chased the new ones once, another old girl gave a little a hard peck. I did find one feather off of one of the littles in the run, which must have happened while I was away.

I've opened the run and the oldies have free range of the back yard, the littles are staying in or near the run.

How much is too much calcium for a little? How can one tell if they've had too much? Are they smart enough to stop eating it?

I’ve raised littles w bigs and there was always free choice oyster shell and we never saw an issue. They seem to figure out what to not eat.
Do they have grit available? Maybe the kids are craving some grit.

 

[Justicedog]

I’ve raised littles w bigs and there was always free choice oyster shell and we never saw an issue. They seem to figure out what to not eat.
Do they have grit available? Maybe the kids are craving some grit.

They have the yard and I’ve had some sand available to them.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They have the yard and I’ve had some sand available to them.

Does the yard have gravel or rocky soil, or is the sand coarse with many different particle sizes? You mentioned the babies are staying in/near the run, so is the gravel/sand within reach if they don't go further?

 

[Justicedog]

Does the yard have gravel or rocky soil, or is the sand coarse with many different particle sizes? You mentioned the babies are staying in/near the run, so is the gravel/sand within reach if they don't go further?

It’s contractor’s sand, so it’s got some rock pieces in it. I’ve tossed that in their area. (I had it in a bowl until I saw them eating it like feed). I’ve got more of the contractors sand drying to make a couple dust bath bins. Also have some old potting/top soil drying for that as well.