What to feed while integrating pullets into main flock?

[NoodlesMama]

I have 11 pullets that are about 8 weeks old that I am starting to integrate into my main flock what should I feed them all until the younger ladies reach laying age? I plan to provide oyster as a calcium supplement for the older ladies until the young ones are able to go on layer feed. Any Advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Henry&Friends]

Switching from layer crumbles to flock raiser with oyster shell on the side would work great, but I keep feeding layer crumbles and haven’t had any problems (yet)

 

[FortCluck]

I feed all my chickens from 8 weeks and up a layer/starter crumble mixture with added protein (mealworm & soldierworms). I make a mix of layer crumble, chick starter, dried bugs, seed mixture, and BOSS. My chickens love it. I mix the chick starter with my layer feed so that they don't have a hard time transitioning and my roosters like eating the chick starter so I kept it that way. All my chickens like different things so I mix the feed to what everyone likes so there's something for everyone.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have 11 pullets that are about 8 weeks old that I am starting to integrate into my main flock what should I feed them all until the younger ladies reach laying age? I plan to provide oyster as a calcium supplement for the older ladies until the young ones are able to go on layer feed. Any Advice would be much appreciated.

Hi there.

Going with either a "grower" or flock raiser (the FR, with 20% protein is my preference, but for the juvie's aim for 18%+) with your OS on the side like you intend is a fantastic way to make sure all your birds get what they NEED (not like)... all the treats mentioned above are EXACTLY that treats that are in many instances high in fat content. They should NOT be offered at a rate of more that 10% of total daily intake and should NOT be mixed in with the standard feed but used as a TREAT... that gets associated with you. Excess treats can also lead to fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome/sudden death... often contributed to heart attack when folks don't get necropsies to find actual cause of death. Again, those birds are often genetically predisposed... seen commonly in Orpington as one example.

For what it's worth... Since learning the difference many years ago... I never use "layer". All the terms used by different companies can make it pretty confusing. The main difference between most feeds will be protein and calcium content. Their will be minor differences in other vitamins and nutrients.

Since feathers are made from 90% protein and its' amino acids... some folks switch to higher protein feed during molt. Please note "feather fixer" is still loaded with calcium (equal to layer at about 4%)... which, EXCESS amounts (>3%) fed LONG TERM to birds not in lay (juveniles, roosters, broody's, molter's) *can* (doesn't mean will) cause kidney issues including gout and even failure or sudden death... most often in birds genetically predisposed somehow AND also fed excess treats or accidental dehydration.

One other thing since I see you're in Michigan and I too often see the MYTH that feeding corn will keep your birds warm... that is total hogwash spread by folks who don't understand basic metabolic behavior... in that a calorie is a calorie is a calorie and birds are wearing down jackets that keep them warm in addition to their bodies burning calories for energy no matter where they come from. So DON'T dumb down you nutrition by offering low nutrient snacks like whole or cracked corn... while they DO provide energy they are only about 8% protein and while our feed are often made from mostly corn... it has the vitamins, minerals, and importantly amino acids added in.

Proper nutrition... is the key base after genetics to all things health related, IMO. Keep a great foundation... battle less internal and external parasites... and less issues if/when viral or bacterial concerns don arise. A healthy and strong immune system makes a ton of difference and can be heavily influenced by our provisions.

Hope this is helpful!

 

[FortCluck]

Hi there.

Going with either a "grower" or flock raiser (the FR, with 20% protein is my preference, but for the juvie's aim for 18%+) with your OS on the side like you intend is a fantastic way to make sure all your birds get what they NEED (not like)... all the treats mentioned above are EXACTLY that treats that are in many instances high in fat content. They should NOT be offered at a rate of more that 10% of total daily intake and should NOT be mixed in with the standard feed but used as a TREAT... that gets associated with you. Excess treats can also lead to fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome/sudden death... often contributed to heart attack when folks don't get necropsies to find actual cause of death. Again, those birds are often genetically predisposed... seen commonly in Orpington as one example.

For what it's worth... Since learning the difference many years ago... I never use "layer". All the terms used by different companies can make it pretty confusing. The main difference between most feeds will be protein and calcium content. Their will be minor differences in other vitamins and nutrients.

Since feathers are made from 90% protein and its' amino acids... some folks switch to higher protein feed during molt. Please note "feather fixer" is still loaded with calcium (equal to layer at about 4%)... which, EXCESS amounts (>3%) fed LONG TERM to birds not in lay (juveniles, roosters, broody's, molter's) *can* (doesn't mean will) cause kidney issues including gout and even failure or sudden death... most often in birds genetically predisposed somehow AND also fed excess treats or accidental dehydration.

One other thing since I see you're in Michigan and I too often see the MYTH that feeding corn will keep your birds warm... that is total hogwash spread by folks who don't understand basic metabolic behavior... in that a calorie is a calorie is a calorie and birds are wearing down jackets that keep them warm in addition to their bodies burning calories for energy no matter where they come from. So DON'T dumb down you nutrition by offering low nutrient snacks like whole or cracked corn... while they DO provide energy they are only about 8% protein and while our feed are often made from mostly corn... it has the vitamins, minerals, and importantly amino acids added in.

Proper nutrition... is the key base after genetics to all things health related, IMO. Keep a great foundation... battle less internal and external parasites... and less issues if/when viral or bacterial concerns don arise. A healthy and strong immune system makes a ton of difference and can be heavily influenced by our provisions.

Hope this is helpful!

What works for your flock, may not work for someone else's flock. I have never lost a chicken due to fatty liver disease or anything like that, I perfectly portion everything. I've been doing this for over 5 years and I have seen incredible healthy birds all these years.

My birds are all fenced free range, so their mainly eating healthy stuff from the earth. Their favorite is compost piles and getting all the bugs in it.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

What works for your flock, may not work for someone else's flock. I have never lost a chicken due to fatty liver disease or anything like that, I perfectly portion everything. I've been doing this for over 5 years and I have seen incredible healthy birds all these years.

My birds are all fenced free range, so their mainly eating healthy stuff from the earth. Their favorite is compost piles and getting all the bugs in it.

No personal attack was meant is why I didn't quote any of your suggestions.

We all have different goals and expectations for our flocks. I shared my perspective and understanding... according to the research I have done. Thanks for sharing yours also!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi, @EggSighted4Life. We scatter a little scratch grain out to our chickens every afternoon when we turn them out to free range. In your opinion, should we not even do this? I would say we tos out about s cup and a half for our 20 birds. They scratch at it for about five minutes, then move out to their open area and start foraging. Is this too much of a "treat?" It certainly has had the effect of taming them (well, except for the BLs, who I expect will always be a bit hysterical!) and now they've come to expect it. I just yell "Chickeeeens" and fling it as far as it will go, so it's pretty scattered.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, @EggSighted4Life. We scatter a little scratch grain out to our chickens every afternoon when we turn them out to free range. In your opinion, should we not even do this? I would say we tos out about s cup and a half for our 20 birds. They scratch at it for about five minutes, then move out to their open area and start foraging. Is this too much of a "treat?" It certainly has had the effect of taming them (well, except for the BLs, who I expect will always be a bit hysterical!) and now they've come to expect it. I just yell "Chickeeeens" and fling it as far as it will go, so it's pretty scattered.

It's a real personal choice... but giving a treat is not a problem!

How much "scratch" grain you can get away with feeding out partly depends on the current levels of protein and amino acids in your standard feed ration in addition to grain type. Barley and wheat are about 15% protein I think verses 8% for corn. I have seen some "chick starter" as low as 18%, and some "grower" as low as 15%. Verses I expect 22% for it to be truly a starter and 18% to be a true grower... so it's always good to read the labels and know what YOU are looking for.

I like to use something.. like since I use crumble, I can buy game bird starter pellets with 26% protein (this might also work if you already use "layer" pellets since it's significantly higher in protein it can be taster) and toss and their actually getting more nutrition (amino acids) than standard. But all things in balance it should not be much of an issue. Remember in the summer something like frozen peas can be great snack and loaded with protein minus the fat of meal worms and scrambled eggs... which are still good sources of protein and other vitamins and minerals including amino acids are fine in moderation... maybe just once measure how many teaspoons equals that cup and a half so you know "about" how much is being given. If you feel like it's too much, cut back a little or swap in some other items for variety. But they are very much creatures of habit and surely enjoy their daily ritual. Some folks who do deep litter method use it to help get the birds to turn the pile more adequately. My personal preference is to give it kinda late day after they've already accessed the appropriate feed ration... and hopefully after all the ladies are done in the boxes for the day so I don't cause any unwanted drama or accidental bad habits. By maintaining a routine, I also don't get swarmed every time I open the back door.

As you mention it can be a fantastic training, calming, and bonding tool. I definitely do not discount that aspect at all! The way to so many animals heart (or brain) is through their tummy's. It just downright fun to be able to bring joy like that into an animals life.

For animals that have less green access in their life... it can even be fun to sprout or fodder different types of grain. I'm definitely not saying they are the enemy as they are all important sources of energy... even the fats... in the right amounts. We just have to not overdo it.

My answer might not be the same for breeding/hatching.

This looks like a pretty good article and has some teaspoon per bird equivalents included...
https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/chicken-scratch/

Most things say 20 minutes for time frame which seems really long to me. Your 5 minute frame sounds acceptable. This was a good read, even though I'm not 100% on board (with the 20 minute frame), lots of good info delving a little deeper on some reasons..
http://www.plamondon.com/wp/scratch-feed-chickens/

To be quite honest, I have little to no control over what bugs, fatty larva, grasses and other possibly low protein plants including apples, berries, pears and the like that my birds can access on pasture seasonally. Yet I cannot justify confinement. One reason I like flock raiser with OS on the side... room for wiggle more so than "layer", to me.

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x @EggSighted4Life

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Thanks, @EggSighted4Life , I really appreciate you taking the time to post all that! Will definitely check out those articles later. We feed all-flock pellets in a no-waste bucket feeder I made myself. Not pretty, but effective, and keeps the dog out of it (evil laughter!). Not sure off the top of my head what the protein level is on these pellets but i am sure it is at LEAST 16%. By 3:30 when I turn them out everyone is usually done laying. There is no fruit my birdies can access, just grasses, forbs, and bugs. Thank you again!