What to feed a flock of differing ages

[stonehedgehens]

I currently have a flock of four 6 month old Rhode Island Reds who are just starting to lay and are eating layer feed. Soon I'm going to be adding three 4 month old Easter Eggers. What feed should I have them all eat (can I feed both ages the same food? I think it would be pretty difficult to put 2 types of food in one coop)? How will I introduce them all to each other (I heard that I should quarantine the new ones?) ?

 

[sideWing]

I currently have a flock of four 6 month old Rhode Island Reds. Soon I'm going to be adding three 4 month old Easter Eggers. What feed should I have them all eat? How will I introduce them all to each other?

You are going to get a lot of different answers on this one. Here is my opinion. I use a 16% layer mash with no added calcium for anything over 8 weeks. I offer free choice oyster shells 24/7/365. This way the new birds and cocks don't get liver damage. Many will tell you to go with starter until they lay and I think that's a good way to go too. I have just talked with a lot of old timers and feed growers and they do it the way I suggested. It's just easier for me.

I integrate by making a small pen with a small door and putting food and water in the pen. Then the littles can go out and the bigs cannot go in. Then they start to integrate pretty well for me.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I just feed a non medicated grower with oyster shells available, or an all flock with oyster shells, I actually like both better than layer because of the higher protein. You can switch to layer later on when everyone is laying, they will be fine.

 

[aart]

I like to feed a 'flock raiser' 20% protein crumble to all ages and genders, as non-layers(chicks, males and molting birds) do not need the extra calcium that is in layer feed and chicks and molters can use the extra protein. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat.

The higher protein crumble also offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer.

Calcium should be available at all times for the layers, I use oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container.

Animal protein (mealworms, a little cheese - beware the salt content, meat scraps) is provided during molting and if I see any feather eating.

 

[cpsmith02]

Until all of our girls got to be old enough to lay, we had oyster shells in the coop with regular food. The little chickens didn't eat the oyster shell and the girls that were laying still got the calcium they needed.

Are they free-ranged?