middle TN Nancy
Chirping
- Jul 2, 2018
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I don't think it's a question of lack of appropriate care for the birds. As I understand it, the issue is that in flocks with mixed ages and genders, not all the chickens should eat layer feed as the extra calcium it contains is bad for them, whereas all flock or flock raiser can be fed to all ages and genders with oyster shell offered on the side for those laying hens who need it.You know what I have found very interesting and don’t understand in regard to us keeping chickens in general as to starting them from chicks as laying birds not the meat birds and in discussion on this thread previously not necessarily this particular time. I find it very funny that keepers don’t want to feed young laying hens later feed who are in the fertile age as 20 weeks and up who have laid their first egg and up.
Why did you get laying hens? Again? In my mind they are to be fed layer feed and the feed they need that is for egg laying that I can provide for them as long as they need it since I purchased them they are my responsibility and I need to do this as long as they are in my care. If I cannot provide this and a proper coop and correct care for heat and cold and vet care then I need to find them a home who will but I have that lined up if that happens cause that is who I am about my animals. They have to be cared for and birds are the very same. So back to the laying feed. Why would you buy laying hens as chicks if you did not plan to place them on laying hens food at the proper time or a whole grain or grains and have oyster shell and of course have grit also available for them at all times to take as needed. ???????
In my case, I will be able to feed layer feed in a few months as all my chicks are the same age and are all female. My sister, however, has chickens as young as 3 months, full-grown laying hens, hens that are pretty much past laying, and a rooster. I pointed out that she shouldn't be feeding layer feed, which is all anyone carries around here besides chick starter/grower. Her chickens free range most of the time and get a lot of their food by themselves, so they do not rely heavily on the feed that she provides anyway, but she would like to find all flock or flock raiser. I am trying to source it as I am raising some chicks for her and I want them to have the most appropriate feed when they move to her farm.