Pullets with adult chickens

[MaryClyde]

I got these eight week old pullets at Tractor Supply when they were small...now they've outgrown the container that I was keeping them in. I've moved them into the hen house with no problems so far. I am still feeding them starter feed but have a hanging gallon feeder for the hens. Will it hurt the chicks if they eat the layer pellets? I have six hens and one rooster and there are three layer boxes in there, so the hens come and go as they please and s is where all of them sleep at night. When all of the ladies have laid their eggs, I open the gate and let them free range on about an acre behind my house. BUT, I'm only concerned about the chicks eating the layer pellets. Thanks for your patience..

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes it will hurt them. A diet of 4% calcium with 8 week old pullets is a recipe for urolithiasis, renal failure, visceral gout and possible death. Flock mortalities from excess calcium range from 2-50%.

http://www.hyline.com/aspx/redbook/redbook.aspx?s=5&p=36

http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/content/64/12/2300.abstract

It will eventually harm the rooster as well from kidney disease and reduced fertility. Adults handle it better than chicks but still, any bird not building egg shells every day should be getting 1% calcium.

http://www.reproduction-online.org/content/early/2011/06/13/REP-11-0131.full.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12530920

 

[SunkenRoadFarms]

I have a mix flock if ages and Roos and hens. I use a purina Flock Raiser with oyster shell on the side. Safe for all to eat.

 

[Skblack]

Question: when do I stop feeding my pullers the medicated crumble? They are 8-10 weeks old?

 

[BonRae67]

Question: when do I stop feeding my pullers the medicated crumble? They are 8-10 weeks old?

You can stop anytime. I usually feed mine medicated food for about a month then switch to regular chick starter until they start laying. Then layer.