Adult hens eating chick food

[Apaige212]

My 8 week old chicks are now living in the coop with my two adult hens. Is it ok for the adults to eat the chick food? I can’t stop them from eating it. They refuse to eat they later pellets so I’ll change to layer crumbles. But then it’s it ok for the chicks to eat the layer crumbles? This is the first time I’ve had chicks with my hens so not sure how to manage their food.

 

[Brooks_]

My 8 week old chicks are now living in the coop with my two adult hens. Is it ok for the adults to eat the chick food? I can’t stop them from eating it. They refuse to eat they later pellets so I’ll change to layer crumbles. But then it’s it ok for the chicks to eat the layer crumbles? This is the first time I’ve had chicks with my hens so not sure how to manage their food.

Adults eating starter is fine. Chicks eating layer is not. Easiest solution is all flock/flock raiser/starter for all. With oyster shell and grit in separate containers.

 

[Brooks_]

And

 

[U_Stormcrow]

As @BrooksHatlen said above, Layer Feed is not healthy for chicks. All FLock is good for everyone. That's why I usually recommend that the typical backyard owner, of the typical backyard flock, with typical backyard management practices feed an All Flock/Flock Raiser* type crumble to all their birds, all their lives, with free choice grit, oyster shell, and fresh clean water available at all times in seperate dishes. Without regard to age, gender, onset of of lay, condition of molt, etc.

*Essentially an 18-20% protein, 3.5% fat+/-, 1.5% calcium +/-, 3.5% fiber +/- feed, preferably with about .6% Phosphorus, at least .35% Methionine, and .7% Lysine.

Because its easy for you, and its good nutrition for them.

All of my adult birds - chickens and ducks - get exactly the same feed, which happens to be 20% protein. I feed my youngsters a higher protein mix for their first 6-8 weeks (basically, until they join the adult flock) as I have facilites to separate the flocks. My reasons for that are complicated, its not something I recommend for everyone. But All Flock, all the time, for all the birds of all the genders is a safe and easy way to raise chickens, ducks, geese. Doing something different has limited benefits in limited conditions, and should only be considered after weighing all practical options.

My flock is in my Sig, below. You can see the results of me feed regimen here.