Pullets going out in run

[itsmyguess]

I have 2 Barred Rock pullets about 8 or 9 wks old that will be leaving the brooder for the coop. They will be joining 4 big girls 3 BO, and one sex link all laying. Of coarse the BR are still on Starter Grower, I have the feeder hanging high for the big girls I don’t want the pullets to eat layer feed yet . We don’t have the room to really separate them in the run where feed and water is at unless I partion part of the run off so they can also get use to each other. My backyard run behind the garage is 16x4ft any thoughts on this , birds all outside all day go in if they feel like it , at night I just close the door . Maybe just get a smaller feeder for the pullets. Or get all Flock feed.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The traditional way backyard flock owners handle this is to feed them all the same thing, a low-calcium feed like All-Flock, Starter, or Grower, and offer a calcium supplement like oyster shell on the side. The ones that need the calcium for egg shells seem to know it, the others don't eat enough to harm themselves.

Do not think for a minute you can keep the younger ones out of the older ones' feed. It is not going to happen. I've seen two-week-old chicks fly up to the big girls feeder.

 

[Melky]

An all flock feed sounds more reasonable and then can house together with supplements if oyster shell and poultry grit on the side. I’d finish what you have and switch. Love your breed choices. So exciting to put the newbies out. Good Luck!