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Mixed ages what to feed

Discussion in 'Feeding & Watering Your Flock' started by inkedvegan, Jul 3, 2016.

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  1. Jul 3, 2016 #1
    inkedvegan

    inkedvegan New Egg

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    Jun 10, 2016
    Raleigh
    I have 13 total chickens. 3 which are laying, 4 who are 18 weeks old and about to start laying, and 6 of whom i don't know their ages with the youngest being no younger than 12 weeks old. Im currently feeding them start and grow and know not to switch to layer feed once they all start laying. Question is would waiting another 6 weeks be too early to switch to layer feed or should i wait longer? Also if i put oyster shell supplement for the laying birds would the younger ones go for it as well?
     
  3. Jul 3, 2016 #2
    Ridgerunner

    Ridgerunner Chicken Obsessed

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    A standard way to feed a mixed aged flock like that is to feed them all a low-calcium feed and offer a calcium supplement on the side, usually oyster shell. It’s what I do. The ones that need it for the egg shells usually know to eat it. The ones that don’t need that much may eat a bit but not enough to harm themselves. They are usually really good at being able to sort that kind of stuff out themselves.
     

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