Nutrena Free-Range Egg Producer 21% Layer Feed for chicks

[urban-chix]

I’ve been using this forum throughout my backyard chicken journey, and I’m so grateful for this community.

I’m currently feeding my layers Nutrena Free-Range Egg Producer 21% Layer Feed. I have some new chicks coming and given the high protein content of this feed I’m wondering if I can feed it to baby chickens (I know I’ll have to grind it so they can eat it). It looks like it has a slightly higher calcium content than chick feed but but it’s otherwise pretty similar to commercial starter feeds.

I’m also surprised that this layer feed has such a high protein content and I’m wondering if this could cause issues for my flock.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC. The feed is fine for your adult laying hens, but it has too much calcium for chicks and roosters.

 

[muddy75]

Welcome to BYC! As stated, the protein is fine but layer feed has too much calcium for non-layers.

 

[FrostRanger]

I'd finish the bag off by giving it to the adults and then switch everyone to either chick starter or an all flock. Provided that there are no roosters, you can switch everyone back when everyone is laying. The protein content of the feed is excellent, you'd have to go to above 30% before you'd have to worry about too much protein, if anything extra protein is good for them. Many of us here try and feed around 20% protein because it's better for the birds and reduces the likelihood of certain behavior issues such as feather picking and egg eating

 

[Susan Skylark]

I’ve been feeding a similar feed but different brand to my quail, including my now 4 week old chicks (4 total) and they are doing great (quail need 20 percent protein and high calcium as adults). Quail start laying at 5-6 weeks so the high calcium isn’t a major issue since the time period is so short but chickens might be very different. They feed large breed puppies very differently from normal dogs since too much calcium and other minerals as pups actually contributes to bone and joint issues later in life, I would assume this would apply to chickens as well (especially large or fast growing birds (meat breeds!). Protein won’t be an issue but the calcium could cause issues. Could you switch to an all flock and supplement oyster shells or something similar?