What happens if Chickies eat laying hen feed?

[Intileo]

Hello friends! This is a message I've also posted under 'feeding time'. Hope that's ok.

What happens if chicks eat grown up layer feed?

My chicks are 6 weeks old and still hanging out with Mama Hen. I've had two feeders on the go: one inside the coop with the chicks containing Chick Start and Grow; one outside in the run, where the babies couldn't get, containing Layena (the layer feed) for our 19 laying hens.

Now the chicks are able to fly up to the window and out to the run where I have the other feeder, what's a good way to feed adult hens the grit they need to make egg shells, whilst not- I presume- making my chicks ill by letting them get to the laying hen feed?

Thanks all!!!

 

[Mahonri]

Keep them separate until they are 16 weeks.

 

[speckledhen]

Grit is not for eggshells. Calcium in the form of oyster shell or limestone is what does that. Grit helps them grind food. Chicks need grit if they are eating anything other than starter, but you do not want them eating oyster shell. Best thing to do is feed something like FlockRaiser, which is for all ages, and offer free choice shell to the hens. The babies wont eat that, though they may take a taste.

 

[Heather J]

You can also consider finding a way to make the layena out of reach. I have rigged up feeders that hang for the older birds and the chicks can't reach them.

 

[crooked stripe]

I found just the opposite with my 8 week olds. I have offered medicated starter grower to the chicks that live in the main coop with the broody. All 6 of my layers have stopped eating layer pellets and are liking the medicated starter. Egg production is down to 2 eggs a day but the time has changed here and we are only getting 10 hours of daylight now and the temps have fallen. I just assumed production has slowed since winter is starting.

 

[chickorama]

Depends on how old they are. If they are under about 6 weeks, I wouldn't give them layer feed.

 

[chickorama]

You can also do it the opposite way, and give the hens chick food.

 

[BawkinOnTheBench]

Quote:
Mine do - when they get into the big girls coop. It used to work having it up higher, but now they are big enough (12 weeks) to reach it. So I just have to hope they don't chow on it too much!

Must be doing the girls good - their eggshells are like rocks!

 

[ghulst]

No problem.