Starter? Grower? Layer?

[snmartinez]

Can someone please give me a break down as to what I'm supposed to find my chickens and when? I have seven four week old chickens and one old hen. I have chick starter out for them and layer for my old hen that is up high but the chicks can still get into it if they try. Do I'm looking for suggestions to stop this and what to feed my chicks and when? Thank you.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Most people with mixed flocks just feed a starter/grower or an all ages/ flock raiser type food, usually around 18% protein, it is usually the easiest thing to do. Then just switch them over to Layer when they are all old enough. Just have oyster shell available on the side for the old girl until then.

 

[realsis]

When they are small chicks up to about three months I believe it's starter, then around three to six months it's grower, then 6 months plus it's layer. That's how I do it anyway. I hope this helps. Do not start the layer until 6 months by that time they are close to point of lay. Or just after the first egg.i start layer at around 6 months. Each feed has different protien levels for that stage in life. Layer of course has extra calcium for eggs and usually a lower protien than grower. They have to be close to point of lay to get layer because the extra calcium isn't good if they are younger than that. The calcium can harm a young chicks organs. So each food is blended for their specific life stage. Most layer feed is around 16 to 17% protien . While most grower feed is around 18 to 19% protein. Some breeds when laying do better with a higher protien layer and certain manufacturers do make a 18% layer for those breeds. So basically the protein and calcium differs with each different stage feed. Hope this helps. I wish the best for you and your flock. If your flock is mixed ages I agree with above post. I would use a grower and offer oyster shell for the extra calcium for the layer. The grower won't hurt the layer at all. The oyster shell will give her the calcium she needs. Then when the growers are close to point of lay you can switch to the layer for everyone then. Never switch sooner than 6 mo. Old. Best wishes