What to feed a mixed flock?

[SwtGrc]

Hey everyone!
I asked this question at the feed store but the young girls working there didn't seem too knowledgeable.

I have 8 ladies that are 8 months old (some were laying before winter) outside in the coop. I also have 4 young ladies that are 3 months old.
What do you feed this mixed flock? Obviously not layer because of higher calcium levels right?
TIA
-SwtGrc

 

[AlleysChicks]

A flock raiser for all and a dish of oyster shell on the side for your laying girls. Purina has a crumble form but I have seen pellets in other brands.

Another option is for them to all eat chick feed and have a dish of oyster shell for your layers.


And of course when they all are laying you can switch to a layer feed if you want.

*I buy flock pellets for my laying birds with a side dish of oyster shell, and my youngsters and bantams get chick feed.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

You could go with Flock Raiser, or one of the myriad of All Flock's that are out there. I'd use the oyster shell on the side, as always.

 

[SwtGrc]

A flock raiser for all and a dish of oyster shell on the side for your laying girls. Purina has a crumble form but I have seen pellets in other brands.

Another option is for them to all eat chick feed and have a dish of oyster shell for your layers.


And of course when they all are laying you can switch to a layer feed if you want.

*I buy flock pellets for my laying birds with a side dish of oyster shell, and my youngsters and bantams get chick feed.

I switched them all to non medicated starter for now because I wasn’t positive:/
I actually asked the girl at the feed store about a flock raiser i saw in their barn and she said “flock block?” Uugghhh never mind.
Glad i joined a knowledgeable flock fam!
:*

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Good advice so far.
You were wise not to listen to the feed store advice.

98% of feed store employees know nothing about chickens whether that be for nutrition or medication.
Most never raised chickens and even if they did, they never went to veterinary school nor took any advanced classes in poultry nutrition.
I give them credit for knowing where the feed is stored and ability to load it into your car or truck.
The best thing you can do at the feed store is to read the labels on the feed. That includes the guaranteed analysis tag on every bag as well as the chart on the back of the bag that indicates the type and age of birds and which of that manufacturer's feeds are for that age.

 

[Folly's place]

Also never neglect the mill date on the bag, and only buy fresh! It's best to have it all fed within about six weeks of milling. You choices of fresh feed might be different from mine, but an all-flock feed that's fresh is a very good choice. I feed Purina Flock Raiser, with oyster shell on the side.
Mary

 

[ChickenCanoe]

X2
I never visit the feed store without first reading the date. If any are old, I exclude those feeds from my choices.
Dates are either on the guaranteed analysis/ingredient tag or on the seal strip at either the top or bottom of the bag. Some are easily decipherable. Some use the Julian date.

ETA
Some stores are very good about moving product and dropping the price on feedstuffs starting to get old.
Some will keep it on the floor as long as it takes to sell.
I've seen feed a year or two old at some feed stores and other products like vitamins and electrolytes several years past the expiration date.
When I brought the expired vitamins to the attention of the merchant, they said, "OK".
Those packages are still on the shelf a couple years later.
When I questioned the age of feed when questioning a feed mill on the phone, they told me that grains last years. I said, "not after they have been ground".