What and when to feed?

[dusica731]

I am new to raising. I have 4 production reds, 6 buff brahmas, 6 partridge rocks 3-4 weeks old. Next weeks I will have 3 day old chicks arriving. 2 GLW pullet/ Roo and 1 welsummer pullet. Some will be my eggers and others will be meat birds. Do I continue to feed all of them starter/grower until layers start to lay? Do I switch to grower/finisher at some point? And do I separate my eggers from my meat birds and feed them each something different? I know my eggers shouldn't have layer feed till at least 18-19 weeks. Oh and my GLW Roo will be my main man will I feed him something other then later feed( I'm not expecting him to lay, lol?

 

[lbsimm]

Are these items strictly once they are of laying age or can you do any sooner? Mine are 3months

 

[dusica731]

I'm not sure, I'm new to all of raising, that's what I'm trying to find out.... :/

 

[Den in Penn]

You can go to a grower after six weeks or when the starter bag runs out if you are using a starter at first. If it is a starter/grower then you can use that until they lay or reach POL. Separating the meaties depends on the type and your comfort with managing them. Some will do alright with the laying flock others like Cornish cross should be finished separately. As for the rooster, yes the extra calcium in the layer can hurt him. It depends some on how you manage your flock, whether you use layer. Some never use layer feed and continue to feed grower or some other feed and give the hens a calcium source on the side. Then there are those like me who free range or pasture them who give them layer, figuring that the calcium level will be lowered with the other foods they find. When the is a broody raising chicks with the flock I will switch to a grower then.

 

[dusica731]

You can go to a grower after six weeks or when the starter bag runs out if you are using a starter at first.  If it is a starter/grower then you can use that until they lay or reach POL.   Separating the meaties depends on the type and your comfort with managing them.  Some will do alright with the laying flock others like Cornish cross should be finished separately.  As for the rooster, yes the extra calcium in the layer can hurt him.  It depends some on how you manage your flock, whether you use layer.  Some never use layer feed and continue to feed grower or some other feed and give the hens a calcium source on the side.  Then there are those like me who free range or pasture them who give them layer, figuring that the calcium level will be lowered with the other foods they find.  When the is a broody raising chicks with the flock I will switch to a grower then.

I do plan on free ranging... What do u suggest as far as feeds and if I should seperate meaties from layers? And this may sound really stupid but how do I keep my Roo from eating the layers calcium source? Like I said I'm very new to all of this and I want what's best for ALL of my flock.

 

[Den in Penn]

Staying with a grower of an all flock feed with calcium on the side for the layers will cover everything and give you little to worry about. The rooster and any who don't need the calcium should leave it alone. They may try it but then leave it. The only time I had my rooster eat oyster shell was when he couldn't find any thing else to use for grit in the winter with the ground covered in snow.

 

[dusica731]

Staying with a grower of an all flock feed with calcium on the side for the layers will cover everything and give you little to worry about.  The rooster and any who don't need the calcium should leave it alone.  They may try it but then leave it.  The  only time I had my rooster eat oyster shell was when he couldn't find any thing else to use for grit in the winter with the ground covered in snow.

Thank you, that makes sense... As far as the Roos, should I give them a protein supply on the side?

 

[Den in Penn]

Roosters will do fine with the protein available to the hens. There are those who like to give the flock a higher protein feed for all. There are some benefits like when they are growing feathers after molting, but higher protein usually means a higher feed cost.

 

[dusica731]

T

Roosters will do fine with the protein available to the hens.  There are those who like to give the flock a higher protein feed for all.  There are some benefits like when they are growing feathers after molting, but higher protein usually means a higher feed cost.

Thanks for all of ur help and putting up with my round the circle questions i do have an unrelated question by the way, how do I post a profile pic on here?

 

[Den in Penn]

In the drop down menu you use to sign out there is a, change avatar, option. That will allow you to post a picture that appears with your posts.