Mixing older hens with young hens....feed dilemma?!?!

[ChickenCanoe]

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If you see a protein around 4%, that is intended to be a Layer feed....

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But these studies are based on the chicks eating nothing but Layer. One bite of high calcium won’t kill them. It’s not about what percentage of one bite is calcium, it’s how many grams they eat in a day. And it’s not one day, it’s over several days. It’s a cumulative effect, not an instantaneous effect....

If you talk to Purina (I have via e-mail) they’ll say you can feed the Amprolium medicated feed to laying hens. The dosage in the medicated feed is pretty low. According to Purina, Amprolium is not absorbed through the intestine walls so it can’t get into the eggs to start with. According to the USDA, Amprolium in this dosage has not been proven to be harmful in the eggs. I once saw where an avian veterinarian said so little was absorbed through their guts that he did not think it was dangerous, but maybe a week’s withdrawal would be prudent just because of the unknowns. I’m not going to tell you that it is safe to eat those eggs, I’m not a medical professional. I don’t use medicated feed anyway. I can’t offer any suggestions on the medicated feed and the eggs question.
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And if people can live while drinking diet soft drinks every day, a small dose of thiamine inhibitor won't kill them. I know people whose diet is so woefully deficient they may not get thiamine in a week.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you see a protein around 4%, that is intended to be a Layer feed

Darn spell check. You'd think it would know calcium is not spelled witha "p"!

Thanks, I changed it.

 

[MichelleP]

Thank you all for your assistance. We went ahead and made a run within a run and keep the two sets separated right now (accept to roost..then we just remove the feed). It seemed easier to just buy a layer feed for the older hens and finish off the medicated feed for the young hens. I figure by the time the medicated feed is done, it will be safe enough to bring the two sets together on the same feed..since they will be nearing laying age (about 2 more months)