Switching feed question

[LittleMissCountry]

I know this has been asked, and I have been reading the other threads, but I just want some clarification to make sure I am going about this the right way.
I have four chicks that will be 12 weeks old next week. I have been feeding them the Purina starter crumble, because I had a 50 lb bag that needs to be used up.
There is probably another months worth of feed left. From what I understand it is okay to feed them the starter crumble right up until they start laying, then I need to start with layer feed, and oyster shell offered on the side.
So I have two black sex linked chicks who may start laying earlier than my buff orpingtons. I have read that they can all start on layer feed at around 16 to 18 weeks. Can I offer oyster shell if only two of them are laying? Will that give too much calcium to the nonlayers, or wil they just ignore the oyster shell?
Oh and they are getting to free range for at least a few hours each day while I am home. I don't know if that makes a difference.

 

[GC-Raptor]

You don't have to feed a layers feed, and I wouldn't feed a layers with only 16% Protein.
I recommend a 18-20% Protein feed for Backyard Chickens.
A 18% layers feed or an All-Flock, Flock Raiser or even a Non-medicated starter with 18-20% Protein.
Buy fresh, smell the bag in the store. I keep feed in my house with the bag tightly closed.
Provide Oyster Shell in a separate container near feed. . They will eat it if they need it. GC

 

[LittleMissCountry]

You don't have to feed a layers feed, and I wouldn't feed a layers with only 16% Protein.
I recommend a 18-20% Protein feed for Backyard Chickens.
A 18% layers feed or an All-Flock, Flock Raiser or even a Non-medicated starter with 18-20% Protein.
Buy fresh, smell the bag in the store. I keep feed in my house with the bag tightly closed.
Provide Oyster Shell in a separate container near feed.View attachment 1374566. They will eat it if they need it. GC

Thank you. I will make sure to check thw protein content. So as long as they have the right protein amount, and access to oyster shell, they don't need layer feed specifically?

 

[cmom]

First I would use up the starter then switch to the layer. As far as oyster shells, you can give that to them free choice and they will take what they need. I occasionally put oyster shells and granite grit in their feeders. I put in the grit because I do give them some scratch grains for treats and here where I live it's mostly sand so they don't get good grinding stones for their gizzards. When I want to feed the birds a higher protein feed especially during breeding season, I feed them Game Bird Breeder which is 20%/21% protein. Good luck and have fun...

 

[GC-Raptor]

they don't need layer feed specifically?

Correct. Layers feed has extra Calcium, usually 3.25 to 4.5%, compared to an All-Flock or Starter feed that is around 1 to 1.5%. Providing Oyster Shell near feed makes up for less Calcium in the feed.
For a backyard flock of chickens that free range a couple of hours a day or are given treats or kitchen scraps/table scraps. Protein above most layers feed is more important. IMO. I also provide Granite Grit in a separate container. GC

 

[Kelly Dian]

First I would use up the starter then switch to the layer. As far as oyster shells, you can give that to them free choice and they will take what they need. I occasionally put oyster shells and granite grit in their feeders. I put in the grit because I do give them some scratch grains for treats and here where I live it's mostly sand so they don't get good grinding stones for their gizzards. When I want to feed the birds a higher protein feed especially during breeding season, I feed them Game Bird Breeder which is 20%/21% protein. Good luck and have fun...

Mine eat aLot of mealworms bc they are Very spoiled and I buy meal worms with dried shrimp which is really high in protein.

 

[cmom]

I don't feed meal worms to my flocks because I have way too many birds and meal worms would cost a lot. A 2lb bag here is $16.00 which just went down from $20.00. I feed around 300lbs of feed weekly.

 

[lazy gardener]

You can give chick feed to layers as long as you provide oyster shell on the side. The bigger issues IMO:

Age of feed: by the time feed is 6 weeks past mill date, it is on it's way to going rancid, loosing nutrient quality b/c of oxidation. a well published poultry nutrition expert states that feed that is 6 weeks past mill date is loosing nutrients to the point of being problematic for the flock.

Medicated feed: It is recommended that medicated feed NOT be fed to chicks long term. I believe the cut off date is 8 weeks. Amprolium is a thiamine blocker. I'm assuming this is the reason why it's use is not approved for long term. I choose not to use medicated feed for any of my chicks, and have never had issues with Coccidiosis. Natural immune system building techniques have stood the test of time for my flocks.

 

[cmom]

I have one bird who is a cross beak. I feed her crumbles. I get a 50# bag and it lasts a long time. I haven't had it go bad but then I keep it sealed. This is Gladys.

 

[lazy gardener]

While it may not be visibly bad, and may even smell ok, you can be certain that the nutrient level has decreased over time. Do you have other birds who are on different feed? If so, you might try giving her the soaked pellets, or even ferment the feed to make it easier for her to eat.