new pullets-one older hen-need feeding advice

[chickie seal]

I have one 3 year old EE hen remaining. She has been on layer pellets and free access to oyster shell. I now have 5 pullets, ranging from 11 to 14 weeks. I have them separated by wire for now and they are on chick starter. I know they need the starter/grower until they're about 6 months, but I'd like to move them on into the main run with the hen before that. I've read where layer pellets can be harmful to young pullets. So when I move the young ones on in, can they all eat the grower/starter without harm? Will it hurt the pullets if they get into the oyster shell?

Appreciate any advice!

 

[Percheron chick]

That's how most people feed a mixed aged flock. The pullets will leave the oyster shell alone. Around 20 weeks you can start switching them over to layer. Mix the grower with the layer until out run out of grower.

 

[donrae]

I feed an all-in-one, similar to grower feed. I have all ages and genders, so it works best for me. I supplement with egg shells and oyster shell. The younger hens and the roosters usually taste the oyster shell and just decide it's not for them. I don't worry about them eating it, they're just not interested.

 

[ChickenLegs13]

When I had a small flock I didn't want to handle 5 different kinds of feed, so to keep it simple everybody ate the same thing, either starter or grower. The ones that needed cal got fed crunched up eggshells in addition.