Should I Feed Hens Same Food as Chicks?

[FlipFlopFarmer6279]

My hen just hatched chicks and it freaked me out because I thought we had another week left! I am NOT prepared! Do I feed the hens the same feed as the chicks? Or do I feed the chicks the same feed as the hens? The coop they're in is temporary and I was planning to move my broody hen in with the rest of my chickens in the permanent coop but this makes it way more complicated! How do I do it? Should I wait? I need help FAST!

 

[nuthatched]

Feeding hens chick feed is actually doing them a favor. Feeding chicks layer feed will hurt them.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

^^^ while that lacks details, its essentially correct.

Most of us who post on the topic of feed, for most backyard owners, under most conditions, will recommend Flock Raiser/All Flock type feeds with free choice oyster shell as the best feed management solution. For Reasons. (Yes, I'm linking my own post in another forum - tacky of me - this question, and permutations of it, arise frequently) and when Flock Raiser/All Flock isn't available, as frequently happened last year (for other reasons), we generally recommend Chick Starter/Grower as an acceptable (though more likely medicated) alternative.

Whether or not to medicate your feed has no simple answer.

 

[nuthatched]

^^^ while that lacks details, its essentially correct.

Most of us, for most backyard owners, under most conditions, will recommend Flock Raiser/All Flock type feeds with free choice oyster shell as the best feed management solution. For Reasons. (Yes, I'm liking my own post in another forum - tacky of me - this question, and permutations of it, arise frequently) and when Flock Raiser/All Flock isn't available, as frequently happened last year, for other reasons, we generally recommend Chick Starter/Grower as an acceptable (though more likely medicated) alternative.

Whether or not to medicate your feed has no simple answer.

I'm on mobile, it's difficult to type I was hoping someone would fill in.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I'm on mobile, it's difficult to type I was hoping someone would fill in.

I'm on mobile too - my cellular is providing the internet connection to my desktop computer. No other internet out here. But as I have benefit of a full keyboard and mouse, happy to do the heavy lifting this time.

Regardless, you nailed the heart of the thing in memorable fashion. I'm appealing to the less emotional, more intellectual side of the argument - but its yours they'll remember. Mine is as exciting as a Wikipedia article.

 

[little chick-y baby mama]

u need to feed the hens layer feed, not chick feed.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I choose to switch the entire flock to chick feed and I provide grit and oyster shells as a free choice to the adults in the flock.

 

[little chick-y baby mama]

I choose to switch the entire flock to chick feed and I provide grit and oyster shells as a free choice to the adults in the flock.

does it not affect their laying?

 

[CluckerFamily]

does it not affect their laying?

I haven’t seen a reduction in eggs but my hens aren’t ones who lay every day to begin with.
I find it less stressful on the flock so that everyone doesn’t need to be isolated and I don’t have to worry about the little ones sneaking to eat the layer feed.

 

[little chick-y baby mama]

I haven’t seen a reduction in eggs but my hens aren’t ones who lay every day to begin with.
I find it less stressful on the flock so that everyone doesn’t need to be isolated and I don’t have to worry about the little ones sneaking to eat the layer feed.

I like the way u worded that