my younger chicks keep eatin my hens layer food

[joeys60]

my alot younger chicks keep eating my hens layer food will it harm them

 

[Warthog]

Short answer is I don't know, but I have read on this site that young chicks can't handle the extra calcium in the layer food.

What I did, I have three different ages of chicks, some already laying, some due to law in the next week or two and some due to lay in early May.

I put all the hens/chicks onto grower feed and out out crushed egg shells for the older girls to help with the calcium. I monitored the younger onews when I put out the egg shells and they showed no interest.

Just my experience.

I am sure someone with more knowledge will respond.

 

[mike67909]

how much younger is alot younger? Chicks should not eat layer feed the extra calcium can damage their kidneys. I would seperate them and give them a chick starter as the only source of food.

Chicks should eat a starter/grower 20-24% protein for the first 8 weeks then switch to a finisher feed until 20-22 weeks then go on the layer feed.

Usually depending on what brand you feed this data changes slightly, but just look on the bag for the details.

 

[chickerdoodle]

Yes, it can cause kidney problems due to the extra calcium if they are under 16 weeks of age. You can let mom have their food and offer calcium separately as Warthog did because she isn't laying now anyway. Personally, I plan on giving my chicks some layer feed mixed into their feed for a week or so when they are closer to 5 months as they will be dual purpose breeds. The weaning is to prevent stress (psychologically and physically) from an immediate change. However, I may be a bit more cautious than most.

 

[Kittymomma]

When I have chicks on the ground or molting hens I put everybody on 22% gamebird feed and keep oyster shell ($5 for 20 lbs--last forever) out free choice so that the laying hens can meet their calcium needs. The gamebird does cost more, but they don't seem to eat as much of it and everybody gets what they need nutrition wise and as a bonus the feather growth/color gets a boost too. I do make sure to have Corid on hand just in case I have a cocci outbreak since the chicks aren't getting medicated feed.

 

[joeys60]

there 2 months and 3 boths in with the laying hens. I did have one feeder with grower and one with layer. Shall i just put every one on grower

 

[txchickie]

Quote:
Yes, chickens don't know which is the "right" feed to eat. Give everyone grower.

 

[Airilith]

Quote:
For layers, it is my understanding that if you feed a starter and grower combo feed, you can feed that from day 1 until point of lay (at which point you switch to layer pellets).

 

[joeys60]

so you think the laying ones will be ok on grower with oystershell grit and still lay nice good eggs

 

[Kittymomma]

Yep, it will be just fine. Just make sure you're using non medicated feed.