4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[CheekyPekins]

Hello,

 

I've got 2 new hens which I've introduced to my existing hens and they've been free ranging quite happily together for a couple of weeks. This week, I'd like to remove the panel which divides my walk-in run, so they're all in together but.... my new hens are on growers pellets and my existing hens are on layers. Can my older girls have growers pellets for the next few weeks? I can put out a feeder full of each, but each lot of hens is probably going to be eating from both feeders.

 

Sorry if it's a daft question , my last lot of introductions was with POL girls so I just had all of them on layers pellets!

 

Thanks for any advice

[Chickabee]

This subject has come up quite a few times. I the the general consensus is that it will do no harm for your older girls to be on growers

[sjp]

they'll be fine on growers but don't used medicated if the older ones are laying

[CheekyPekins]

Oooh crikey - medicated growers pellets? I've got Dodson and Horrell ones at the moment, I can't see anything which says they're medicated... I need to get more pellets at the weekend, so I can change them if I need to and postpone mixing the girls in the run til then. My littl'uns are 14 weeks old and I've had them 2 weeks - should I have fed them medicated pellets til now?

[Chickabee]

I've never seen medicated growers. I've never fed medicated growers. I guess they're only if you have a specific need. Think you'll be fine, just go for it

[Chickabee]

Have just looked on another forum. There are growers out there that are medicated to help protect against cocci .

It seems most people don't use them and they definitely say not to use them for laying birds or birds that might come into lay soon

[CheekyPekins]

Thank you - that's a relief!

[sjp]

Oooh crikey - medicated growers pellets? I've got Dodson and Horrell ones at the moment, I can't see anything which says they're medicated... I need to get more pellets at the weekend, so I can change them if I need to and postpone mixing the girls in the run til then. My littl'uns are 14 weeks old and I've had them 2 weeks - should I have fed them medicated pellets til now?

they would have either medicated or ACS in the name. some feed medicated chick crumb up to sex weeks old others don't. I only used it because I lost 2 chicks to cocci

[Redwing]

I dont think D&H do a medicated growers but I could be wrong, it will be clearly marked though if it is

 

I've said this several times on here but few of my chooks have ever eaten a layers pellet and they are all fine and happy, I prefer not to use them

[Chickabee]

I dont think D&H do a medicated growers but I could be wrong, it will be clearly marked though if it is

 

I've said this several times on here but few of my chooks have ever eaten a layers pellet and they are all fine and happy, I prefer not to use them

 

That's really interesting. What do you use. Sorry I've not read your posts before. I met a breeder who used to mix his own feed, he never used layers. I didn't really pay much attention, but would like to find out more now

[Redwing]

I use a mix of top quality growers pellets, wheat, maize (only in winter) various seeds, mineral stone coated in a powdered vitamin mix, biotin, garlic powder, micronised linseed and different types of oils

 

Different birds get different ratios with some getting mainly pellets and others getting no pellets at all

 

The show birds get a secret mix

 

The ex batts get layers pellets as currently but will be weaned on to an alternative in time

 

birds not here for the long term are having layers pellets at the moment as chances are thats what they will get in their new homes

[dance in the dark]

I currently have some 12 week old growers and have just started feeding all of my hens growers for a while (just easier to remember which goes where). Most of my hens have stopper laying for at least a couple of months and the hybrids are getting on so there laying is not what it was.

 

They do well on growers, I feel it helps them to tell their body to rest whilst they are moulting. Also, if it ever care to a choice of whether to feed layers to young or growers to older the latter is best. You should not ever let growers eat layers pellets.