Feeding Chickens at Different Ages (layers)

 

 

Chickens at different stages of development require different feed formulations. Commercially prepared rations are a nutritionally balanced food source; poultry nutritionists formulate feed to ensure that chickens get all the nutrition they need daily, therefore, anything that is added to the diet reduces the amount of nutritious feed they should be eating. Even healthy snacks should only be given in moderation so as not to tip the balance too far in any direction.

I strongly recommend against dabbling in assembling homemade feed blends. Imprecise calculations and the wrong ingredients can affect growth in young chickens, egg production in layers and result in negative, long-term health consequences. "Mixing rations is the most complex aspect of poultry management and isn't something you should undertake if you're just starting out. Ration formulation requires:

• availability of appropriate feedstuffs
• analysis of feedstuff composition
• knowledge of the nutritional needs of chickens
• ability to mix feed in quantity your flock will use within four weeks."1 

The following is intended as a general guideline for feeding commercial ration to laying breeds. The availablity of certain feed varies by geographic location, therefore, always follow manufacturer's recommendations.

 

STARTER FEED, Day 1 to 8 weeks (Chicks) 
Day-old chicks through 8 weeks old require starter feed containing 20% protein. Starter feed contains the highest percentage of protein a layer will ever consume, which makes sense given their astronomical rate of growth in the first few months of life.

Starter feed can be purchased in both medicated and unmedicated varieties. Medicated feed contains amprollium, which protects chicks from coccidiosis, a common and deadly intestinal disease that is spread in fecal matter. Chicks that have received the coccidiosis vaccine should not be fed medicated starter, as the amprollium will render the vaccine useless and the chicks vunerable to the disease. When purchasing 'vaccinated' chicks, it's important to know which vaccines they received.

 

 Most new chicken-keepers wonder at what age a chick can be given treats, however there is no pre-defined age at which it is appropriate. Chicks are tiny and treats will replace a percentage of the nutrition in starter ration that their rapidly-growing bodies require. Common sense should be the guide; small, healthy treats on  occasion.

I do not consider this pumpkin a small treat,

they were only allowed to eat it for a short period of time.

While starter feed is dissolved by the chick's saliva and needs no other help being digested, treats must be accompanied by grit. Grit refers to hard materials such as sand, dirt or small stones that aid in digeston. Since chickens have no teeth, food not broken down by saliva requires further processing in the gizzard with the assistance of grit to pulverize fiberous and large foods. Chickens foraging outside will naturally pick up bits of grit (stones, pebbles, sand) from the ground, those that do not must have it supplied to them. If necessary, grit should be supplied in a separate hopper, not mixed into the feed.

GROWER FEED, 8 weeks to 18 weeks (Teenagers)
With its higher protein content, starter ration can rush a young pullet's developing body into egg-laying before it's ready. Adolescent chickens (I call them teenagers) should be provided with grower ration containing 16-18% protein, slightly less than starter.

Layer feed should never be fed to chickens younger than 18 weeks as it contains calcium that can permanently damage the kidneys or liver and impede their bone development. Again, grit should be made available to teenagers not foraging outside who consume treats.

Click here for DIY instructions for this feeder.

 

LAYER FEED, 18 weeks and older (The Big Girls)
Layer feed is available in mash, crumble or pellet forms, all of which describe the size of the feed; mash is the smallest, pellets, the largest. Layer feed contains 16-18% protein plus added calcium that is required for eggshell production.  Laying hens can be fed layer ration as early as 18 weeks or as late as the arrival of their first egg, but should not be fed to birds younger than 18 weeks old.

 

While layer feed contains calcium, an additional source of calcium, such as crushed oyster shells or clean eggshells, should be made available in a separate dish, apart from the feed. All laying hens have different calcium requirements and will consume as much calcium as they need. Oyster shells should never be added directly to feed as excess calcium can be detrimental to those not requiring as much.
Hens deprived of adequate amounts of calcium will begin utilizing the calcium stored within their own bones to produce eggshells.

 

LIMIT TREATS
Commercial layer feed provides all of the daily nutritional elements a chicken requires. Providing snacks, treats or table scraps in addition to their feed interferes with that balanced diet to a degree, depending on the type of treat and amount consumed. Limiting snacks and treats, even healthy choices such as mealworms, homemade flock block substitute and pumpkin/pumpkin seeds, ensures that flock members are getting everything they need and avoids problems such as obesity, feather picking, eggbinding and reduced egg production.

SCRATCH: The contents of scratch varies by country and region, but it consists primarily of cracked corn and any number of other grains. It's a source of energy (think: carbs) but is not a good source of vitamins, minerals or protein. "Scratch should be fed sparingly, if at all."2  In the wintertime,  chickens expend extra energy to keep warm and scratch is a decent source of energy at that time of year. However, treats should not comprise more than 10% of a flock's daily diet.

(gratuitous scratch frenzy video) 

Feeding different age groups together.

Given the power and force of chicken math, chickens of mixed age groups often occupy the same living space at any given time, which raises the question of how to feed them. This situation isn't ideal, but it's not unique either.  Providing unmedicated starter/grower to a flock of mixed age birds with calcium available free-choice to the layers is the best solution. The additional protein in the starter/grower ration won't hurt the older birds, but calcium contained in layer feed could damage the kidneys of growing birds.

Source(s):
1 Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens, Damerow, Gail. Storey Publishing, 1995, pg. 49.
2 The Chicken Encyclopedia, Damerow, Gail. Storey Publishing, 2012. pg. 235

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This post is shared with: Barn Hop @Homestead Revival,  Down Home @Tilly's Nest