Start & Grow and Laying Hens?

[TexasLea]

I have a batch of chicks that I am trying to introduce slowly to my 2 big girls. They spend the day in a pen inside the run. The first day I put them out there one of my big girls really threw a fit. I thought she was just mad about the chicks but she kept it up even after I put them back inside the brooder in our garage well out of her site. She was bawking her head off at the pen. I finally figured out she was upset because she couldn't get to what she deemed a treat inside the pen- the chick starter. I threw a handful out for the big girls and they were both cooing while they pecked it up they were so happy.

Now, every day when the chicks are out there the big girls will throw a fit until they are given chick starter too. It doesn't matter what other treats I put out there either. They will eat those up and then bawk like crazy until I give them the chick starter. It's like chicken drugs or something. In fact, they are both so hooked on Start and Grow now that they hardly touch their laying pellets. I know that the chicks will have to be on starter/grower until they lay and I plan for them to be in the run and coop with the two big girls full time long before that happens. So, my question is will Start and Grow be okay for the laying hens to eat too for the next 3-4 months? If it is okay, do I need to give them anything else other than offer a seperate bowl of oyster shell for calcium? Also, will the chicks try to eat the calcium once they are in the run where they could get to it or is it one of those things they will only eat if they need it?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Yes, you can feed the Start & Grow to the older birds, but do make sure to offer oyster shell on the side. The chicks won't be interested in the crushed shell after an initial taste until they begin to crave it shortly before onset of lay.

 

[TexasLea]

Thanks! That is great to know the chicks will want it when they are getting ready to lay. I will keep an eye out for that as they age.