What should I feed my mixed age flock?

[Isabella F]

Hi everyone, one of my pullets just started laying yesterday and I'm supper excited but I'm not sure what to feed my flock. I have three that are about 18 weeks old (2 are pullets and one is a cockerel) but I also have 2 that are 10 weeks old and another silkie rooster that we are giving away soon. o which fees should I use, pullet or layer feed?

 

[junebuggena]

Layer feed is for actively laying birds only. There is no magic ingredient in layer feed, and it is not required for egg production. The high calcium content can be fatal to non-laying birds and young chicks.
As long as you provide a source of calcium for the laying birds, you can feed them all an unmedicated starter/grower feed.

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

It would be best if you could give them an all flock feed with oyster shells on the side. Layer feed is good for laying chickens, not for cockerels/roosters or pullets that aren't laying yet.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Layer feed is for actively laying birds only. There is no magic ingredient in layer feed, and it is not required for egg production. The high calcium content can be fatal to non-laying birds and young chicks.
As long as you provide a source of calcium for the laying birds, you can feed them all an unmedicated starter/grower feed.

It would be best if you could give them an all flock feed with oyster shells on the side. Layer feed is good for laying chickens, not for cockerels/roosters or pullets that aren't laying yet.

 

[Isabella F]

It would be best if you could give them an all flock feed with oyster shells on the side. Layer feed is good for laying chickens, not for cockerels/roosters or pullets that aren't laying yet.

So I can't feed my rooster laying feed?
What do you mean by an all flock feed? Is it a certain type of feed or something that all of them can eat?

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

So I can't feed my rooster laying feed?
What do you mean by an all flock feed? Is it a certain type of feed or something that all of them can eat?

Excess calcium can cause problems in non-laying birds. If you don't want to feed them layer, you could feed them flock raiser feed, all flock feed, or grower feed.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Unless the 10 week olds are separate I would go with a non medicated starter/grower. The older birds will want to eat and it won't hurt them. There is usually an age recommendation on the bag. After that a flock raiser or feather fixer is good. Offer oyster shell for the girls.

 

[barred2rock]

So I can't feed my rooster laying feed?
What do you mean by an all flock feed? Is it a certain type of feed or something that all of them can eat?

It's chicken feed for a mixed flock with 18% protein and roughly 1% calcium.

https://www.nutrenaworld.com/product/naturewise-all-flock-feed

Other companies make similar products with 18% to 20% protein. A starter/grower is basically the same.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I use the Nutrena Feather Fixer. 18% protein 3.25% -3.75% calcium. For me that was a good in between.

 

[The Angry Hen]

I am not sure if you have "blue seal" around your area, but I use the multi-flock-layer crumble feed. Very good and reasonable food. Yes- it is fine if a rooster eats layer feed.