What to feed mixed ages

[tosca]

I have 4 chickens. 3 are about 12 weeks old and 1 is 5 months and has just started laying. I am feeding them a mix of turkey crumble and layer feed. They also get scraps and free range most of the day. I thought I was doing the right thing, but now I am reading that the layer feed has too much calcium for the young chooks. I can't seperate them so I'm not sure what to feed them and if I'm doing the right thing. I don't want to put any medicated food in there as the older one will eat it as well and I don't want it in the eggs. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Chris09]

You can feed everyone either a medicated starter feed if the active ingredient is either Amprolium or Lasalocid.
What type of Turkey Feed are you feeding? Some Turkey Feed is medicated with Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate [BMD], BMD is used for a number of things from increased growth to increased egg production.

Amprolium which goes by the trade names Corid and Amprovine, Amprolium, Amprol, Anticoccid and is a thiamine analog, competitively inhibits the active transport of thiamine (B1).
According to the Amprolium site there is no withdrawal periods in both eggs and poultry meat.

Lasalocid goes by the trade name Bovatec. Bovatec (lasalocid) is a coccidiocide that kills coccidia. It is an ionophore that moves potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium into the cell causing the cell to burst. Bovatec works primarily on a single developmental stage of coccidia, providing a more narrow range of action than Deccox.
There is no withdrawal required because Lasalocid is confined to the alimentary canal of the bird.

Chris


Chris

 

[1muttsfan]

Why turkey feed instead of chicken? You could feed a grower/finisher ration, or purina makes a feed called Flock Raiser. In either case, keep free choice oyster shell available for the hens that are laying.

 

[Dutch552]

Why turkey feed instead of chicken? You could feed a grower/finisher ration, or purina makes a feed called Flock Raiser. In either case, keep free choice oyster shell available for the hens that are laying.

I fed Flock Raiser until the price jumped to $17.50 a bag. Switched to a local farm co-op grower/finisher that is a crumble without additional calcium that has the potential to put your young chicks into kidney failure. I think I paid $11 for a 50# bag my last time out. As above, ensure that your laying hens have access to a constant supply of oyster shell so they will continue to lay quality eggs.

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

I have a mixed flock from chick to 2 years both chicken and duck. 5 standard sized chickens that are laying, 1 bantam that is laying , 3 bantam chicks, 1 three month old pullet and ducks.

I mix one bag of flock raiser, one bag of cracked corn and one bag of 7 grain scratch. I mix together and they get that daily. About once a week I feed a large tub of yogurt for calcium, not to mention whatever calcium is in the table scraps.

 

[tosca]

Thank you all for your replies. It is hard just starting out, don't want to do anything wrong.

Turkey mash because it was the only 'chicken starter' the shop said didn't have any medication in it. And medicated food is not good for eggs am I right???

I"m just feeding them the mix for now and it seems most of you do that. I offer oyster shell seperate but I do think the younger chooks peck at it...

Anyway, thank you. This site is so great for advice. I love getting a fresh egg a day, even if its only the one for now