Older girls, and young ladies...

[mowin]

I'm building my coop now. Buddy of mine has 6 Buff Orps chicks that he's going to keep with his chicks until it's warm enough and there old enough to put in my coop without heat.

He also has three 2 yr old Buff Orps he is giving me as soon as my coop and run is ready.

So the older gals are on laying feed. Will it be ok for the younger gals to eat the same feed once I can bring them home? Don't have to coop run separation to keep them separate.

 

[aart]

I feed an 'all flock' type feed with oyster shell in a separate container for the layers.
Makes things much simpler.
Chicks should not eat layer feed, and they need higher protein.

Is your buddy going to integrate the older birds with the chicks?
If not, you might still have to have a way to separate them.

 

[mowin]

I feed an 'all flock' type feed with oyster shell in a separate container for the layers.
Makes things much simpler.
Chicks should not eat layer feed, and they need higher protein.

Is your buddy going to integrate the older birds with the chicks?
If not, you might still have to have a way to separate them.

He has separate coops. But I don't. So oyster shells will do the same as layer feed but won't hurt the younger ones?

 

[aart]

He has separate coops. But I don't. So oyster shells will do the same as layer feed but won't hurt the younger ones?

Might want to rethink getting the older birds...
...or maybe you could take them back if things don't go well.

Usually the birds that don't need the calcium won't eat the OS.

 

[mowin]

My coop and run will be done in a week or so. The chicks are being delivered tomorrow. He's raising the chicks.

However once my coop and run is ready, he's giving me 3 layers.
In a couple months, the chicks will be ready for me to bring home.

All will then be in one coop. I can separate part of the coop for the youngsters for a couple weeks to get the older gals used to them, but once I open things up fully, how do I feed then separately?

 

[mowin]

Might want to rethink getting the older birds...
...or maybe you could take them back if things don't go well.

Usually the birds that don't need the calcium won't eat the OS.

Unfortunately, I think your correct. I was just hoping I could have some fresh eggs before the younger gals started laying.

 

[aart]

Unfortunately, I think your correct. I was just hoping I could have some fresh eggs before the younger gals started laying.

Well, it might work out, hard to say.
Putting them all in a new environment reduces territoriality issues...but there's still the maturity issues. Those older birds will know how to 'reign' and may attack the chicks.
...but 9 birds in your 6x8 might be tight quarters come winter.
Integration is another pretty steep learning curve for chickeneers.

 

[mowin]

Well, it might work out, hard to say.
Putting them all in a new environment reduces territoriality issues...but there's still the maturity issues. Those older birds will know how to 'reign' and may attack the chicks.
...but 9 birds in your 6x8 might be tight quarters come winter.
Integration is another pretty steep learning curve for chickeneers.

I "should" have enough room for 12 hens @ 4 per sqft. But only going to have 9 at most.
Nest boxes will be in the coop, but off the floor. Probably 14" off the floor.

 

[123RedBeard]

Tell him to keep the layers, and sell you the eggs till yours start laying ...

Make a "mama heating pad" raise your own chicks. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

 

[mowin]

Tell him to keep the layers, and sell you the eggs till yours start laying ...

Make a "mama heating pad" raise your own chicks. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

He's got the set up and space. So much easier for me to leave them with him