Mixed ages... mixed feed?

[newchickenmom33]

We have 5 older pullets, 3 barred rock 1 orpington and 1 rir, that are 15 weeks... they are eating organic grower feed. We just got 3 more chicks that are 3 weeks old. In 4-6 weeks I hope to have them all in the same coop. The babies are eating organic starter feed. I’ve red that some of the pullets may start to lay in 3-4 weeks so if i change their feed to organic layer feed.... how do i keep the chicks out of it? I leave the feed out until bedtime. Any advice is appreciated! Ty!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Breed is important to feeding needs.

You have commercial layers, although the Orpington, being dual purpose, will mature more slowly than the production reds (your feed store RIR) and production Barred Rocks, you still have feed store varieties which have been bred and selected for egg production.

I personally would not give any feed over 18% to at most 20% protein chick starter. 22% is for meat birds, and above that game birds or turkeys. You can harm growth by adding too much protein. The muscles can outstrip joints and bones causing malformations. 22% is meant for fast growing meat birds who need to add a lot of meat quickly. Game bird feed fed continually is not healthy for most commercial layer types, which you have. Show birds and heritage types may do better with higher protein, but I do not recommend that for commercial layer breeds.

Medicated is amprolium based which slows the uptake of vitamin B. It literally starves the coccidia protozoa by not allowing it to metabolize B. Medicated feed has its place in areas with feed store chicks who have not developed an immunity to coccidia or transplants who do not have an immunity to your coccidia strain. It is meant to be fed for about 10 weeks until the bird is mature enough for their own immune system to take over. Medicated feed merely slows the development of coccidia in the gut to allow that to happen.

Medicated feed will not hurt older hens, and you do not need to pull eggs. In time, though, steady consumption of the medicated may cause declined levels of B in your hens.

Since your older birds are commercial layers types, they will need calcium sooner as their genetics are geared for egg production sooner. You can actually delay the start of laying by having low calcium for the production breeds.

Chicks won't eat the oyster shell, so that is one method of accommodating all ages. Put out 18% chick start and leave oyster shell out for free feed. The older birds will begin to eat the oyster shell while the younger birds will not. You will know when point of lay is around the corner as the young pullets will begin to guzzle the oyster shell.

When your younger birds (shall I assume they are commercial laying types too, similar to your older birds?), become about 14 weeks of age, you can switch everyone onto a good layer. Studies have shown that the commercial laying breeds do best for production when switched at about 14 to 16 weeks of age rather than waiting for actual laying.

My experiences.
LofMc

 

[Folly's place]

For eye candy and variety, look at 'feathersite' and check out Henderson's Chicken chart. There are so many interesting breeds of chickens! Don't confine your flock to production reds only; branch out and try other breeds.
For my flock of babies, pullets, hens, and roosters, I feed Flock Raiser, a 20% protein all-flock feed, with oyster shell on the side. It's always fresh where I shop (check the mill date on each bag of feed) and works for everyone. Much easier than having chick feed, layer, and grower.
Mary

 

[cavemanrich]

Just keep giving the Grower Feed until all your chickens are laying. Provide Cracked Oyster Shells free choice for all. Chickens know what they need. They will pick as needed. Chickens free ranging and eating greens also get calcium from these plants.
I feed all my chickens Alflock. Its not organic, but is equal to your grower feed. Mostly in the calcium content. Yours should be in the 2% range, like my Alflock. I provide the Oyster Shells all the time. Some of my chickens lay more than others. All the egg shells are satisfactory. I also feed back the egg shells (crushed) back to my chickens.
Layer feed is a formula designed to provide ideal egg production. Sometimes it may be insufficient to some chickens. That is why the free choice calcium is so good to have.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,, and

 

[cavemanrich]

The excess calcium is a longer term consumption that will harm the kidneys and liver of non layers and Roosters. It is not an instant killer. You can switch to layer feed once they start laying. No harm will come to your chicken if you don't do it in advance of laying.
The grit and oyster shell are not seen as a treat to chickens. They will take in as they see, they need it.
Chickens long ago did not have processed feed and scientific values associated with what was fed to them. My mother fed her chickens what was available to them. There was no processed feed at that time. We did ALRIGHT.
Layer feed is designed to optimize egg production and make feeding easier. It is formulated to be COMPLETE NUTRITION for layers.
You can achieve same with lower calcium feed and free choice calcium on the side. Added benefit there is it can cover your layers and non layers and roosters ALL in one feed.

 

[Shezadandy]

Chickens long ago did not have processed feed and scientific values associated with what was fed to them. My mother fed her chickens what was available to them. There was no processed feed at that time. We did ALRIGHT.
Layer feed is designed to optimize egg production and make feeding easier. It is formulated to be COMPLETE NUTRITION for layers.
You can achieve same with lower calcium feed and free choice calcium on the side. Added benefit there is it can cover your layers and non layers and roosters ALL in one feed.[/QUOTE]

And- probably back in the day - the chickens had plenty to pick from and had access to lots of bugs and other high-protein snacks all over the place. It's what happens when we confine them (I include myself in this category, until I get my rolling chicken fort built) strictly to an area and take away their ability to sufficiently forage that the feed contents become much more important.

 

[leighks]

I have a mixed flock. I feed starter/ grower to all perminantly so I don’t have to worry about who eats what. Oyster shells on the side for sure so my layers can get enough calcium. Works out well for all ages.

 

[cmom]

I do feed Show Gold medicated starter. It's 26% protein. I show my birds so I want them to get the best start in life. I only feed it to them for the first couple of months then I switch them to Show Gold Grower which is 21% protein.

 

[Folly's place]

Speckled Sussex hens are very interactive; love them! EEs and French Marans for interesting egg colors, and various bird color patterns too. Wyandottes come in so many colors, and are very nice! Just a start...
Mary

 

[Shezadandy]

We've always got a mix of broody hens with chicks, weaned chicks of various ages, layers and then the aging ladies and the rooster(s)-- so we went with Flock Raiser with oyster shell offered separately. We also tend to feed treats (which generally are very low in protein) - so starting with the base feed at 20% gives me some latitude when adding scratch or things like watermelon to keep cool in the summer and so on. 16% is the bare minimum hens need to lay eggs, so if you're starting off with 16% layer feed - anything you add that's lower in protein can start to cost you in egg production, especially as the girls get older.