What to feed chick when mixing them in with laying hens?

[Coopnana]

Just recently moved our 8 week old silkie chick (with her broody GLW hen) with my 4 other hens that are laying. I was trying to keep all the flock feed down low...and the layer feed as well as the oyster shell at a higher level on a outdoor roost. I came home today and this little chick was in the layer feed tray....eating. I switched it out to flock feed, but not sure if this is a good thing for the rest. How should I handle this dilemna?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

The laying hens can eat Flock Raiser or unmedicated chick starter (or Grower feed) instead of layer feed. They just require oyster shell on the side so as to get enough calcium.

 

[realsis]

I agree with above post. The layers can eat the chick or grower with a side calcium supplment.but the young silkie should NOT eat the layer.so I would switch up to the grower feed and just add calcium as a side dish. I hope this helps and wish you the best for you and your flock.

 

[Coopnana]

Thank you for the posts...so this is what I shall do...and hope to keep chick out of oyster shell ...it is up high in a small container.... darn little high jumper

 

[realsis]

My non layers usually stay out of the oyster shell on their own. Seems they don't want it which makes it easy. Seems only the layers want to eat it. At least with my chickens. Non layers are just not interested in it.

 

[debid]

Yep, I've had the same experience. Even laying age hens that were on winter break from laying ignored the oyster shell. Only the layers sought it out. Now, when you first put it in, expect it to be explored. But, the little one will likely toss a few pieces out looking for something that tastes good and then move on.

 

[donrae]

My young birds taste the oyster shell and usually find it's just not to their taste. Same for the roosters, they try it and never really eat it. The roosters know the hens love it, though, and get all excited to call them when I toss some out!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Yes you don't have to worry about oyster shell consumption for the non layers. They will try it as the others said and maybe eat a tiny amount but it won't hurt them since they won't keep eating it.

 

[Coopnana]

This is all good info on the oyster shell...thank you everyone!

 

[brummie]

Can you permanently feed chick crumbs to chickens all their life with free choice oyster shell? My chick crumbs contain about 17.5% protein and I really don't like constantly changing feeds (My flock is all mixed age and live together) , so I'm thinking of just giving the entire flock chick crumbs with oyster shell on side permanently so when new chicks hatch I don't have to do or change anything in terms of feed (I plan to hatch every few months, or whenever I have a broody). The only other significant differnce between the layers and chick crumbs seems to be the crude ash which is almost double in the layers feed.

So will feeding chick crumbs permanently (with free choice oyster shell) to layers have any major negative effects or will it be fine?