Mixed ages in flock = no layer pellets?

[beckah1]

I didn't realize that I shouldn't be feeding my pullets layer pellets (until they started laying).

They were on medicated chick feed (including while they were being introduced to the older flock) until they were combined about 3 weeks ago. Now they have been eating layer pellets.

Since they all eat together, what SHOULD I be feeding them? There is a supply of oyster shell in their coop and they have free range the entire farm (though the young ones stay mainly close to the coop).

When I go to the feed store my options are starter, grower, meat feed, layer pellets, or extra egg. Should I switch to a grower until they're 20 weeks old? Have I done irreparable damage?

There is also this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/13502/post-your-first-egg-pics/4860#post_11556264 (post #4870).

Help? Please!

 

[Chick Charm]

Starter is a good one to keep with. However giving them grower is good and so could be meat chicken feed. You shouldn't worry any. They will be ok having been fed layer pellets. You have not "damaged" your chicks.

How old are these chicks? The other post does indeed look like a pullet egg. But that can happen with an older hen as well. ]

Wish ya the best.

 

[beckah1]

Starter is a good one to keep with. However giving them grower is good and so could be meat chicken feed. You shouldn't worry any. They will be ok having been fed layer pellets. You have not "damaged" your chicks.

How old are these chicks? The other post does indeed look like a pullet egg. But that can happen with an older hen as well. ]

Wish ya the best.

Thank you.

The chicks are 12 weeks old tomorrow. I've been reading that the extra minerals in the layer pellets can damage their bones/livers, etc.

 

[Fred's Hens]

A week or two of eating pellets isn't enough time to harm pre-laying birds. It's the buildup over time that harms them. Thus if 90% of the adolescent life was spent eating Starter or Grower or Raiser? They'd be fine. 10% of their pre-laying days spent eating Layer feed isn't enough to do very much. Starter, Raiser, Grower are all feed and all have some calcium, just not the double dose, if you will. Layer is merely a kind of grower/raiser with 16% protein but a lot of added calcium. That added calcium can be supplied through a side dish for layers, it doesn't have to come through being ground into the feed itself.

 

[gryeyes]

Well, chicks should NOT get layer feed because the extra calcium can harm them, maybe not right away but in the long term.

Grower is the "mid" stage of commercial feed and is fine for everybody as long as there is crushed oyster shell available to them, free choice.

I use a feed formulated for all poultry all ages, called "All Flock" by Nutrena. Purina has a similar feed called Flock Raiser. Oyster shell is provided free choice, separately. I have never used just "layer" feed.

 

[Chick Charm]

Your chicks will be alright. I know 12 weeks old is too young for the egg you posted on the other thread. It must have come from one of the 1 yr old hens.

Happy chicken raising!