How should I get my pullets to eat they’re own feed, while making sure they don’t eat the hens feed in the same coop?

[Jl neighborhood flock]

Hello!
I have 2 chicks, and I’m concerned about how they’re going to eat their own feed when they’re in the coop with my older hens. Right now my hens feeder is in the run, with their waterer in a nesting box to keep it from freezing. Right now I’m thinking that I can occupy a nesting box with a crumbles and pellet mix, with water for the pullets. Then I’d do feeding time where the older hens would be in the run eating and drinking, while the pullets would be in the actual coop part eating from that nesting box. I’m think half an hour to 45 mins. Is this a good idea?

 

[SilverBirds]

How old are your chicks? The easiest thing to do would be to switch to an all flock feed with oyster shells on the side for the big girls until the pullets get to be POL.

 

[SourRoses]

The standard approach is to put them all on the same feed, the Grower / All Flock feed that is appropriate for chicks. Add some Oyster shell on the side in a separate container for the hens to pick up their calcium as they need it.

All ages of chickens need food available for all of their waking hours. They are foragers requiring frequent small quantity consumption, rather than meal eaters like humans are.
I hope your arrangement with the nestbox is not off the ground and open so they might fall out? Most usually use a brooder arrangement in the coop that can be opened up as the chicks begin to mix with the flock. Or was this a broodys hatch?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hello!
I have 2 chicks, and I’m concerned about how they’re going to eat their own feed when they’re in the coop with my older hens.

I agree with the others, it is not going to happen. You can keep the hens out of the chick feed by putting the chick feed in a spot the hens can't get to it but I've had 2-week-old chicks fly up to a hanging feeder to eat. If the hens can get to it to eat so can the chicks.

This is a very common problem. The very common solution is to feed them all the same thing and offer oyster shell on the side for the ones that need the calcium for the eggshells.

You still need widely separated feeders and waterers so the chicks can eat even if the hens are guarding their feeder and waterer. Again, a very common solution.

 

[Al Gerhart]

So far the best advice has been given, use one feed for now. It would be possible to exclude the hens from getting to the pullet feed with the appropriate size entry point. Going the other way, keeping the pullets out of the hen's feed could be done with the right treadle feeder, for the most part although the pullets would likely eat from the side.

All that said. Keep it simple. Use one feed.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I am also, firmly, in the "all flock all the time" (plus free choice oyster shell, grit, and fresh clean water in separate dishes) camp.

Not only is it easier for you, its better nutrition for your hens.

[Edit] Full disclosure, I don't feed my own birds this way for complicated reasons beyond the scope of this post - but I also have multiple facilities for separating flocks, which I use to raise my hatchlings on different feed until 8-10 weeks. [/edit]

 

[FrostRanger]

Agree with everyone else, unless you have them separated getting them to eat one feed but not the other is hopeless. I can't even micromanage what bowls my cats eat out of, never mind my chickens (cats are generally more trainable than chickens). I too am in the all flock all the time camp. It just makes things easier even with an all hen flock. No need to worry about who's laying, who's broody, molting or otherwise on break

 

[K0k0shka]

All flock all the time, all the way! I've never used layer feed and never will. Everybody eats the same multipurpose feed, and the layers can help themselves to the calcium in a separate bowl.