Rural Gardening: Many more feed questions, 1 by frans530

frans530 wrote:
Once again I have read all the rules but I seem to be confused.. I keep getting the don't you dare switch but you could switch if you... so lets ask straight questions.. maybe clean up my poor old confused brain.

My birds are all 13 weeks old. They are still eating grower feed
Well, Me & U are 14 weeks, are eating 16% layer feed, for the calcium to straigthen their legs/bones

No one gets extra grit, all get junk food, ie scraps, noodles, fruit, a little scratch.

I just started "free ranging" this week. I let them out around noon, they run straight for the mulberry trees. I also found that they LOVE japanese beetles.. darn and just when I have gotten use to having those beetles around.. I find they are gormet chicken food.

My confusion is.. why are they eating this "special" baby grower food, when they are out eating like grown-ups all day long. Why can't I switch to layer feed.. And what do I switch to, 16%, 21%, crumbles or pellets?

And when I do switch.. can everyone eat the same..
Can the silkies, ie 6 roos & 1 pullet eat layer food, or will it raise thier voices an octive?
They have a sand pit, they do eat it.. should I add a calcuim bowl in their houses?

I am having trouble believing they get enough to eat by free ranging.. dh says, don't fill the feeder and they will search more tomorrow.. instead of laying under the shade tree.. How can I tell they are getting enough to eat?

Is their anything I should be watching for?

Other than the darker (mulberry color) feces.. they seem to be having a great time outside the yard.. and come in promptly at bedtime.
That is until all that corn in the background is ready to harvest.. then they may be a little harder to talkinto coming home.