PLEASE watch video: Cull/Euthanize?

[coach723]

Yes, grower is better for your older hens too. They don't need as much calcium when they are laying less, or not laying. The layer feed has added calcium, the grower or flock raiser does not. Just offer oyster shell in a separate feeder all the time for calcium, those that need it will take what they need. I feed my flock this way, have for many years. I have mixed ages, some older birds that no longer lay at all, and roosters. When I start chicks they get one bag of chick starter and then are moved to flock raiser crumbles, same as everyone else. When my store is out of stock of flock raiser I use grower until it's back in stock. Too much calcium for those that don't need it can also lead to health problems like kidney issues or gout.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So switch to a grower feed for all 7 of my hens? To replace their every day feed? I have three girls that are over 6 years old and the rest are about between about 4-3yrs old.

Yes, and offer oyster shell free choice on the side for active layers.. they'll take what they need. No need to toss out any feed you still have.. just mix it down a bit to use it up while making the switch.

Most commercial operations will send their layers to become pet food WAY before they reach that age.. so they don't switch. They use lighting or starvation to induce wide spread molt and have their entire flock molt at once and return to lay. They aim for minimum to sustain production. We as home keepers tend to enjoy production but aim for good life not minimums. I'm sure your rescue STILL was well taken care of to the best of your ability.. NO shame or regret in that. The feed stores and employees for the most part have minimal animal experience and tend to spew what the industry uses as it's standard. BYC, has changed and improved the lives of MANY keepers, flocks, and other farm/pet animals.. including mine!

As coach stated the excess calcium fed to non layers *can* (doesn't mean will) cause kidney issues including gout, failure, and even sudden death.. in those genetically PRE disposed somehow.

There are so many things I wish I knew before! But thankfully life is journey that keeps on growing and changing with each experience training us up for better options in our future.

I hope you will tag me when you have an update, including a lovely new feathered gal.

Do NOT buy "feather fixer" if that happens to come across your options.. It does work for some and has reasons.. but it's also very high in calcium.. just a label gimmick accomplished by what we've already been sharing here.