WHAT SHOULD I FEED A FLOCK OF 5 WEEKS AND ONE ALREADY LAYING?

[stefmech]

I HAVE SOME FIVE WEEKS I HAVE ON MEDICATED STARTER FEED. I JUST PURCHASED ONE HEN WHO IS ALREADY LAYING. I COULDN'T WAIT ANY LONGER FOR EGGS.

THIS IS MY QUESTION - I KNOW A LAYER NEEDS DIFFERENT FEED THAN MY 5 WEEKS. DO I OFFER BOTH. THEY SHARE THE SAME COOP. I DON'T THINK I WANT MY LAYER EATING THE MEDICATED FEED, DO I? BUT I WANT MY CHICKS TO STILL BE ON THE STARTER FEED RIGHT? SO WHAT DO I DO?

 

[d.k]

* I would feed on a schedule, providing the layer with her own dish, and remove the feeders when they are done. Treats can be shared by all. Some may say not to add oyster shell directly to the layer's food, but it works for me. I give mine about 2 tsp. twice a day over her food.

 

[cjeanean]

I have the same problem, and since I can't risk the younger chickens eating the layer feed (too much calcium can cause kidney failure in younger than laying age chickens) I feed them all all-purpose chicken feed. I have oyster shell free choice, and the younger ones don't get into it. They seem to know what they need. Five week olds aren't that big, so you may be able to partition an area off so that only the younger ones can get to it, and put their feed in there. You can hang the laying chicken's feed high enough for just her to reach. If you have some welded wire fencing you could use that to separate a feed area for the younger ones, cause a laying age hen can't fit through the gaps but in my experience 5 week olds sure can! As they get bigger you'll have to clip some of the wires out (make sure the edges aren't sharp) so that they can get through. Just an idea, I've never tried it but it seems like it would work. I know that when I was having problems with my older birds hogging the feed I hung one feeder higher and one lower, and the older ones liked the higher feeder better. Good luck!

 

[Jennym]

My hens are 18 weeks this coming Monday. Can I start the layer feed??

 

[stefmech]

d.k :

* I would feed on a schedule, providing the layer with her own dish, and remove the feeders when they are done. Treats can be shared by all. Some may say not to add oyster shell directly to the layer's food, but it works for me. I give mine about 2 tsp. twice a day over her food.

That sounds like it would work. How often do you feed. Right now the have access to feed around the clock. What schedule would you recommend.​

 

[Chirpy]

I think the best solution with different ages like this is to use Flock Raiser and have Oyster Shell offered free choice for the layer.

 

[keljonma]

Quote:
WHY ARE YOU YELLING?????

If you just purchased one hen,...... she should be in quarantine (isolation) for 30 days away from your youngsters. In this way you can be sure she hasn't brought any nasty germs or bugs with her. Also, since she will be alone, she can have the layer feed and oyster shell.

You can also continue to feed the youngsters the medicated starter feed for the 30 days the hen is in quarantine.

After the 30 day quarantine is up, you can feed all your chickens Flock Raiser, which is 20% protein.

You will need to put oyster shell in a separate container for your hen. The youngsters won't touch it and if you end up with any roos, they won't either.

 

[stefmech]

Thanks a bunch. I actually do have her quarantined. I just am a worry freak and always plan ahead I have never hear of Flock Raiser - Cool. I will check it out.

 

[keljonma]

Flock Raiser is a brand name from the Purina SunFresh poultry feed line. I am not sure if other feed suppliers have something similar, as I have only fed organic layer and Purina SunFresh feeds. I like them because they do not contain animal proteins, don't use ingredients from China, and have not been part of recalls.

It is 20% protein, which is good for all stages of growth in poultry. One of our friends breeds Marans, Cochin and Buckeye chickens, various ducks and geese. She uses Flock Raiser for all ages of birds.

We used to use Layena, but with mixed ages this works better. Purina's site says this is for chickens up to laying age. But our hens are eating it with great results. We provide oyster shell in a separate dish at all times.

If you prefer medicated feed for the chick's first 8 weeks, Flock Raiser is available medicated as well as non-medicated.

I do not work for or own stock in Purina. I just like their poultry feeds.

http://poultry.purinamills.com/OURPRODUCTS/Products/FlockRaiser/default.aspx

 

[stefmech]

Thanks again. I just called my feed store and they carry it so hurray.