What type of feed should I feed them

[Gracethechicken]

So I have 6 hens and 1 rooster (Bonnie, Clyde, Grace, Layla, Scarlett, Tina, and LaFonda)that are all about 2 and 1/2 months old and I was just wondering what type of feed to feed them? Should I feed them layer feed or growering feed?. Also they are all being aggressive towards each other, should I be worried about that or let them get it out of their system? Clyde, the rooster, will randomly attack them for flapping their wings or when one attacks another. Bonnie, our youngest hen, will try to attack him, and it is adorable and all ,because he is bigger than her, but that causes him to get angry. They will often go on a rampage where they all attack one another and then they calm down and take a dust bath. So I need to know what kind of feed to give them and if I should be worried about their anger management problems?

 

[Nats Chickens]

Feed them grower until they are five months old. Or the extra calcium in the layer will make them sick. As for the aggressiveness..they are probably just sorting out the pecking order. I have 4 2 month old chicks and they are always beating each other round the bush.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Layer for your Roo isn't good, as NataliesBackyardChickens stated, keep them on Grower, you can put out a speparate dish of Oyster Shells when the laying starts. There's also Flock Raiser, All Purpose, All Flock ... Saves on storage space and figuring out how to keep the Roo from eating Layer.

 

[Pork Pie]

This link may be interesting re: perceived aggression - http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

 

[Gracethechicken]

So I should keep them on grower until they start laying?

 

[ChickNanny13]

You can keep them on Grower forever, just set out an extra dish of Oyster Shells. IF you feed Layer, it's not good for the Roo ... Calcium content causes liver/kidney issues for Roos & chicks.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Many people feed Layers feed to their flock, including Roosters.
From what I've read on these forums, any effects to a Rooster from Calcium in Layers feed, fed after 18 weeks of age, usually doesn't show up for 3 years, if at all.
I don't have any Roosters, but my mother did (had up to 10 at any given time) for nearly 3 decades and they all got layers feed.
I don't feed Layers feed to my hens, Why?
Most Layers feed is 16% Protein. My Golden Comets feather pick when fed 16%. They don't with a 18% feed.
I am currently feeding a Non-Medicated 18% Start & Grow feed with Oyster Shells in a separate container.
I recommend a 18-20% Protein feed, such as a Non-Medicated Starter Grower, Start & Grow or an All Flock, Flock Raiser, with Oyster Shells on the side.
You can get a Layers feed with 18-20% Protein. But I can't find one that's fresh and it goes bad before its used up for my small flock. GC

 

[lazy gardener]

Just FYI. Until they are a year old, chickens are called pullets or cockerels, depending on gender. After that age, they are called hens or roosters/cock birds. Seems picky, but when talking about your birds, it's helpful to give exact details about the bird so you can receive appropriate advice based on the bird's age.

I keep my youngsters on unmedicated starter until they loose their peep and get their cluck, indicating that they have entered chicken puberty. Any time after that, I switch them to layer. My roosters also get layer, and I've never had issue pertaining to the calcium being detrimental to my roos. I keep oyster shell available to my flock all the time, no matter what base feed they are on. And, I ferment my feed. Some posters have noted that they have aggression or feather picking issues when their flock is on 16% layer. My feed is fermented, which results in increased lysine and methionine in the feed. No issues with feather picking, and the birds are very well feathered.