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Mitchyy96

In the Brooder
Jul 20, 2025
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Hey BYC! We have been using this site for a while while raising our chicks to chickens. We have one roaster and 2 hens … Betty, Burty and Sooty. Any help on how to help raise them would be great, as I think they are approaching laying age now!
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Hiya, and welcome to BYC! :frow

Pretty chickens and cute names!

You could switch them to a layer feed once they start laying. Or, an all-flock, then supplement oyster shell in a separate dish, as that's got more protein but less calcium than layer feed.

Here's our Learning Center with articles about raising chickens that may help.

We're glad you're here!
 
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.
In the over 7 years I've been keeping chickens I've never once purchased or fed a bag of layer feed. I keep them on chick starter/grower, All Flock, Flock Raiser, local broiler mash or any combination that gets them to 18 to 20% protein. I have dispensers of oyster shell that are monitored weekly and keep at a proper level so they aren't just full of powder. I've never had any issues feeding this way.
When you feed in this manner, you're flock is always being fed a proper diet regardless of the composition of the flock. It is appropriate for chicks, pre-POL pullets, cockerels, roosters, broody hens and hens taking a winter break after their molt.
 
Mitchyy96 said:
Hey BYC! We have been using this site for a while while raising our chicks to chickens. We have one roaster and 2 hens … Betty, Burty and Sooty. Any help on how to help raise them would be great, as I think they are approaching laying age now! View attachment 4178701
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Welcome to BYC! So glad you are here!
 
Welcome to BYC! You have a gorgeous little flock. I would follow the advice above from @DobieLover
You don't want to feed a layer feed because of your rooster. Too much calcium in a rooster's diet can cause gout and kidney failure. Sooner or later (probably sooner) those gals will want to hatch chicks. Its easier to feed an 18 to 20% all flock, rather than have to switch feeds whenever you have chicks.
 

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