When Do I Feed Certain Feeds?

[Bob G]

I'm a newbie at all things chicken, except the eating part. I've started a small flock with ten birds, all pullets at this stage. However, a couple RIRs are five months old and about to start laying, all the signs are there.

My question, though, is when do I start those about ready to lay on laying feed? The other 8 chooks are coming along right behind the two older ones so I wonder if it's okay to feed them all the same thing. They are all in the same run at night and free range during the day.

In addition, I wonder if I need to add any supplements to their water supply, such as red vinegar, etc, as a matter of routine.

Thanks.

 

[Ridgerunner]

An easy way out of this is to feed them all Grower and offer oyster shell on the side. The ones that need it for their egg shells will eat it and the others won’t eat enough to harm themselves. This is a traditional way to feed a mixed age flock, say a broody with chicks in with the laying hens.

Some people will tell you to add a lot of different things. I just make sure they have clean water.