Protein Ratios for Various Age Hens

[catterbug]

I have 1 year old layers and 8 week old chicks. I would like to put the 8 week old chicks in the coop soon as they are almost done with their feed. I use an organic feed for the layers that I get at the grinding mill that has 16% protein. I thought about putting the layers and the chicks on the organic grower they sell that has 18% protein and free choice oyster shell but the workers at the mill said that would be too much protein for the layers. I checked and the Purina flock raiser has 20% protein which was what I was actually going to use until I found these organic feeds. Should I just keep the layers on the 16% feed and separate the chicks somehow to get the 18%? I am also worried that since Purina uses 20% protein for their grower feed that maybe 18% organic isn't going to be enough protein for their growing bodies. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

all my chickens ducks and goose eat flock raiser at 20%protien, and i offer oyster shell on the side, now i have chicks and I offer starter grower and FR and the chicks eat both. I have fed this for years to my layers and chicks and never had a problem. and bye the way my hens love the chick feed too

 

[suebee]

Quote:
Ditto!

 

[crash0330]

You can use Purina Flock Raise 20% protein for layers will be fine, specially if they all free range.
But if they don't they will still be ok. Just make sure you dont feed chicks any feed with protein lower than 20% as this will affect their growth for sure.

 

[Arielle]

THe hens really do use a huge amount of protein to make 5-7 eggs a week--the whites are protein and water; maybe you'll see better egg production on the 20 percent protein. GL