How to Feed a Chicken Flock of Mixed Ages
Once you chicks have grown to a size where they can be carefully integrated into your primary flock, you may be wondering what the best way is to go about feeding the birds of mixed ages. It is highly recommended to feed chicks a chick starter feed until six weeks of age. During this time, it is typically easiest and safest for the chicks to house them separately to ensure they get the proper heat and nutrition. If the hens have raised the chicks from eggs, it may be possible to keep the chicks with the hens, but the fatality rate may be higher due to accidents, nutrition needs that may not be met and other environmental factors.
Once the chicks reach 6 weeks of age, you can switch them to a high protein grower mash. Once the birds reach 5 to 6 months of age, they are considered to be of laying age. Laying hens should be fed a layer feed in addition to whatever food they forage, as well as any other supplements or appropriate treats you may be providing.
Often a challenge occurs when the chicks are old enough to be combined with the older hens. In addition to taking the usual precautions when introducing the new birds into the existing flock, it is not uncommon to find the older hens prefer to eat the higher protein grower feed.
The simplest solution is to simply allow the older hens to consume the grower feed along with the younger hens. The older hens enjoy it and the younger hens are guaranteed to still received the health benefits from the high protein levels in the starter feed. On the other hand, layer feed can be harmful to the younger hens because it does not contain all the necessary nutrients.
To compensate for the lower levels of calcium in the layer feed, place some oyster shell or egg shells from hard boiled eggs in with the hens. Once your hens all reach laying age, you can switch them all back to the layer feed.
Once the chicks reach 6 weeks of age, you can switch them to a high protein grower mash. Once the birds reach 5 to 6 months of age, they are considered to be of laying age. Laying hens should be fed a layer feed in addition to whatever food they forage, as well as any other supplements or appropriate treats you may be providing.
Often a challenge occurs when the chicks are old enough to be combined with the older hens. In addition to taking the usual precautions when introducing the new birds into the existing flock, it is not uncommon to find the older hens prefer to eat the higher protein grower feed.
The simplest solution is to simply allow the older hens to consume the grower feed along with the younger hens. The older hens enjoy it and the younger hens are guaranteed to still received the health benefits from the high protein levels in the starter feed. On the other hand, layer feed can be harmful to the younger hens because it does not contain all the necessary nutrients.
To compensate for the lower levels of calcium in the layer feed, place some oyster shell or egg shells from hard boiled eggs in with the hens. Once your hens all reach laying age, you can switch them all back to the layer feed.
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