what to feed chickens? different ages!!!

[ducksarecool12]

I have 4 silkie chickens 2 are around 20 weeks and 2 that are around 22-24 weeks. Then I have 1 mutt hatched in December and a frizzle hatched around that time. I am feeding them all chick feed but dont know when to feed them layer feed and how do i feed the ones that are sopost to be eating layer food and not chick food? Is this clear?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

There are two concerns:

Is the chick starter medicated? If so, then you might consider switching to a grower feed that is not medicated when your girls are laying, for you will be consuming eggs.

The second concern is that the layers need oyster shell. You can offer this oyster shell on the side in a bowl for the layers to eat as needed. The other ones will peck at it but not enough to be dangerous.

There are some people who continue on the grower with oyster shell on the side indefinitely, as the grower feed has more protein. Once everyone is laying you can switch to layer. The calcium in layer feed can damage the nonlayers.

 

[aubreynoramarie]

i stopped buying chick feed when everyone was around 20 weeks knowing that if i bought another bag of chick feed it would last me another two months and my girls would probobly be laying by then. So i bought a bag of flock raiser which is a pretty good middle ground food until everyone was ready for layer feed. A+

 

[ducksarecool12]

Thanks!!!

 

[undercoverchickenlover]

okay so I started my flock with three pullets (2 Wyans, 1 EE) & a very mature (2 yrs old) RIR. I bought layer feed and fed them all the same thing. It was fall and everyone said the pullets wouldn't lay until spring (they were supposed to be about 16 weeks old when I got them) The RIR laid 6 eggs a week clear through fall and now into winter. The most amazing thing is all three teenagers are laying and have been laying for about 6 weeks. The EE took the longest but now her eggs are the largest and have the most beautiful colored yolks and shells I've ever seen. The whole feed discussion is overdone. I give them an organic layer pellet (free choice) then I supplement with cabbage, collard greens, lettuce an occasional hot dog and today they got warm red beans because its so cold. They're happy and I know it because they sing and follow me around and each one lays an egg 5-6 days a week.

 

[undercoverchickenlover]

You know I bought some oyster shell and mixed in with the layer feed but the shells are really hard on their eggs. My Aunt even said to me your chicken are laying petrified eggs except of course the whites and yolks are fine. Maybe it has to do with the weather or something when they need oyster shell for calcium? If I leave to the side they won't eat it at all. I don't think they need it but I want them to have everything that's good for them so I give it anyway. I'm so fond of my girls with their different temperaments/personalities and even different egg structures I wonder if I sometimes overdo the kindness.