Mixed aged pullets - grower or layer?

[mamahen amateur]

I have 10 pullets aged between 11-21 weeks. And a 5 yo mama hen with 12 x 3 week old chicks. They all free range with loads of grass, bush, dirt and wormy compost. Currently I feed the 10 pullets grower pellets in the morning and scraps in the afternoon. They also have a nozzle feeder with grower pellets on demand. Mama and chicks get crumble in their coop. My worry is - will the oldest start laying on grower pellets or should I start feeding all 10 layer pellets? If I do that will the younger ones be getting too much calcium?? What about mama hen? I can't seperate all of them by age so what's the best solution? Thanks!

 

[QueenMisha]

Pullets should ideally be started on layer around 16-18 weeks. I really wouldn't feed layer to pullets any younger than 14 weeks; the extra calcium can damage to their kidneys.

I keep all of my birds on a gamebird grower 24/7 because I range growing birds, gamebirds, and meat fowl with my laying hens. I supplement my hens with oyster shell to provide the calcium they are missing by not being fed the layer feed. They do quite well on this diet.

The best solution would be to provide a bowl of free-choice oyster shell and keep all of them on a grower feed until the youngest birds are around 16 weeks.

 

[mamahen amateur]

Pullets should ideally be started on layer around 16-18 weeks. I really wouldn't feed layer to pullets any younger than 14 weeks; the extra calcium can damage to their kidneys.

I keep all of my birds on a gamebird grower 24/7 because I range growing birds, gamebirds, and meat fowl with my laying hens. I supplement my hens with oyster shell to provide the calcium they are missing by not being fed the layer feed. They do quite well on this diet.

The best solution would be to provide a bowl of free-choice oyster shell and keep all of them on a grower feed until the youngest birds are around 16 weeks.

Thanks! Now to find oyster shells in my area.... Also would you say I need to get them grit if they are free ranging?

 

[QueenMisha]

Oyster shell is sold at most feed stores. Get the 50 lb. bag, it's a useful supplement even after you switch to a layer, and I've found that feed stores tend to sell the 50 lb. and the 5 lb. for the same price anyways.

I've raised poultry for over 10 years and never once bought grit... as long as they have access to soil, they should obtain all the grit they need naturally.

 

[donrae]

Pullets do not need to be fed layer feed at all. There's nothing magical in it that causes them to lay, it simply has less protein and more calcium than grower. Myself, I like the bit more protein, and I supplement calcium with egg shells and oyster shell.

I've always got a multi-age and gender flock going, and I don't have the inclination to mess with separate feeds. Everyone here gets an all-in-one feed, it's around 18-19% protein and I think 2% calcium.

 

[QueenMisha]

Pullets do not need to be fed layer feed at all. There's nothing magical in it that causes them to lay, it simply has less protein and more calcium than grower. Myself, I like the bit more protein, and I supplement calcium with egg shells and oyster shell.

I've always got a multi-age and gender flock going, and I don't have the inclination to mess with separate feeds. Everyone here gets an all-in-one feed, it's around 18-19% protein and I think 2% calcium.

Same here. Layer feed isn't actually necessary, as long as the birds are supplemented with oyster shell. It's just used often because most people don't keep a mixed flock.

 

[mamahen amateur]

Pullets do not need to be fed layer feed at all. There's nothing magical in it that causes them to lay, it simply has less protein and more calcium than grower. Myself, I like the bit more protein, and I supplement calcium with egg shells and oyster shell.

I've always got a multi-age and gender flock going, and I don't have the inclination to mess with separate feeds. Everyone here gets an all-in-one feed, it's around 18-19% protein and I think 2% calcium.

Awesome - that makes sense! I'll give them crushed egg shells until I get oyster shells! I'll have a mixed flock for at least another 4 months so that makes sense. Thanks

 

[donrae]

You are welcome. I'm a big fan of keeping thing simple

 

[MysteriaSdrassa]

Actually,, it really depends on the layer you are feeding them. Our local feed mill has the EXACT same calcium content between it's grower and layer feeds. Our miller states the reason for this is an easier transition between the 2 when you are feeding different age birds. Both mixes contain 2-3% calcium. The biggest difference between the 2 is that the layer has wheat added to it and is more finely ground for faster, easier digestion. He then recomends using oyster shell free choice if the birds need it.
I would say check your labels,, some mass produced commercial feeds contain much more calcium,, like 15% to 30%,,, which we all know,, way too much for young birds and roosters.