What do you feed your girls when they are different ages?

[Mountain Peeps]

Thanks everyone for correcting me

I was told that calcium can be available at all times and the layer feed is what damages their kidneys. I've had calcium available for my chickens of younger ages mixed with older ones and the younger ones didn't even touch it until they were to the laying age as their bodies don't need it until they start making eggs.

This was my thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/896325/calcium

 

[subhanalah]

Thanks everyone for correcting me

I was told that calcium can be available at all times and the layer feed is what damages their kidneys. I've had calcium available for my chickens of younger ages mixed with older ones and the younger ones didn't even touch it until they were to the laying age as their bodies don't need it until they start making eggs.

This was my thread 
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/896325/calcium

Definitely feed layer feed now along with the extra calcium.

Will the extra calcium hurt the younger girls?

No

The OP's question (I'm pretty sure) was about the layer feed.

We all suggested offering it (calcium supplement) free choice on the side so the ones who need it can take it and the ones who don't, can leave it.

 

[Chris09]

A high calcium feed (3%+) shouldn't be feed until laying, If you are going to feed a Layer type feed,, what a lot of people do (and in my opinion the correct way) is feed a "regular" poultry feed with oyster shells on the side up to first egg. When you get the first egg then you switch to a Layer type feed... The big egg producers will feed a Pre-Layer from 15 weeks of age till first egg.

Note the calcium amount of a Pre-Layer is lower than a regular Layer type feed but a bit higher than a Grower.

Nutrient

Units ​

Pre-Layer​

15 wks – Prod​

Protein %

16.50​

Metabolisable Energy Kcal/Kg

2725-2980​

Metabolisable Energy Kcal/lb

1235-1350​

Lysine %

0.80​

Methionine %

0.38​

Methionine + Cystine %

0.65​

Tryptophan %

0.19​

Threonine %

0.55​

Calcium %

2.75*​

Av Phosphorus %

0.40​

Sodium %

0.18​

Chloride %

0.18​

*At least 30-65% of the added limestone should have a minimum particle size of 2250 Microns.

 

[themenagerie]

I always have multiple age birds in my flock, as well as multiple roosters, so I feed an all flock type pellet. I like Purina Flock Raiser, but I also feed Nutrena all flock when I'm short on time & can't get to my regular feed store. To me..it's not worth the risk to feed Layer, when I can just leave some Oyster shell out for the ones that want/need it.

 

[labradoodlemama]

Quote:
So at what age do my littles have to be to start the layer feed? I still have them on grower feed. I did buy layer today, but I still have enough feed left for about 3 weeks and the littles will be 17 wks old then. will they be old enough then for the layer feed? If I put oyster shells out for the 19 wk girls won't the littles eat them? The feed store told me not to put oyster shells out until the littles are older. Also I am getting a cockerel on Sunday will he be able to eat the layer feed when I start to feed it?

 

[cjpines]

X 2 - rather than feeding the younger birds an inappropriate diet, feed the entire group a diet suitable for them all (grower feed/all-flock/flock-raiser/etc) and provide the calcium needed by the laying birds via supplemental calcium (ie oyster shell).

My question to this is, I have layers and younger females, if I provide all of them grower flock-raiser feed with separate calcium, oyster shells how will I keep the younger ones from eating the oyster shells beings they are not supposed to have added calcium. They will be in the same coop soon. Thank you, I need advice.

 

[Chris09]

My question to this is, I have layers and younger females, if I provide all of them grower flock-raiser feed with separate calcium, oyster shells how will I keep the younger ones from eating the oyster shells beings they are not supposed to have added calcium. They will be in the same coop soon. Thank you, I need advice.

8 time out of 10 the younger birds will not even touch the Oyster Shells.
The younger bird may see the older bird pecking at it and try it for themselves but that's about it, they don't have a taste for it yet.

 

[cjpines]

8 time out of 10 the younger birds will not even touch the Oyster Shells.
The younger bird may see the older bird pecking at it and try it for themselves but that's about it, they don't have a taste for it yet.

Thank you, probably others are wondering about this also.