Older hens got med. starter--withdrawal?

[Ridgerunner]

Quote:
If you stop letting them have Layer, the young ones will be fine. They don't immediately have a problem when they first eat Layer. It is when they have access to Layer over a time period that they can develop problems.

If you let the hens eat medicated feed, you should not eat the eggs.

The easy solution is to feed them all Grower and offer oyster shell on the side. No more problems.

 

[Judy]

Please relax, I don't believe for a minute that two days of layer will harm your chicks, it's just not that much calcium. But the others are correct that you have to remove it.

I feed everyone a grower feed which is what I can get locally that is similar to a flock raiser, not medicated, no additional calcium. I offer oyster shell (and grit) separately, in separate containers. I have seen a chick check out the oyster shell once or twice but never seen one eat any. I stopped buying layer feed some time ago and do not plan on buying any more. It's not the greatest feed for roosters, either, and I keep roosters, although apparently a mature rooster can tolerate that extra calcium better than a growing chick can. Really, layer is not suitable for anyone except laying hens.

 

[Judy]

I don't see that anyone answered -- BOSS is black oil sunflower seed, a bit higher in protein than most feeds, and something mine love as a treat.

 

[pipersong]

okay, breathing again! I've done what you have all said and pulled all food and replaced it with flock raiser, and pI put oyster shell on the side. I have truly loved watching my chicks grow, and the two rescues I took in have taught me sooooo much (problems galore!). For the most part, they all eat outside most of the day...I have had to make lemonade from lemons and built a roost in my garage, a sleeping area for the geese (with a doggie door cut in it so they can come in and out...they are a little chick-aggressive right now), and fencing running out my service door and around the front porch. Chickie poopies everywhere, but so worth it when I sit on the porch and my favorite little chick comes and jumps into my lap. A couple of others have started too, now that they see she gets special treats! My friends can't believe this city-raised girl has chickens on the porch, but they are getting over it.

Sorry to freak. In the past 9 weeks, I have taken on perhaps too much, but after an involuntary life-change, I had to do something. I decided I would be as self-sufficient as possible to prevent the situation from being dire ever again! In addition to my 2 geese and 24 layers, I had 20 meaties (only lost 1 to heart attack). My adult hens were cared for so poorly where they were that I have had to learn about mites and sevin dust, scaly leg mites and oiling legs, have given an oil enema in case there was egg binding (with bum-bathing to boot), and have nursed one chicken back to health after she was apparently attacked in her old home (feathers all gone from one side and large sores, etc.), and held a shaking chicken after a cat (or something) chased and pulled her tail feathers out. I have wormed and prayed, and today just sort of made me feel like, "what now?" Thanks to you all for being such blessings and getting me through! Much appreciated!