17 week old pullets - 2 questions

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Unblock in 1-2 weeks.

have the layena on hand.

some of your EEs don't start laying until they are 25-26 weeks.

When the combs are crimson red and they start to squat, uncover the nest boxes and give layena.

I wonder if I didn't stunt growth of some of my girls because I started giving layena right at 18 weeks?
 
I switched to Layena at 18 weeks. I got my first egg a couple of days latter. Coincidence? - maybe.

By the way - I never did block access to my nest boxes. The chicks were in the coop at 8 weeks old. I never saw a chick/pullet show any interest in the nest boxes until a couple of weeks before they started laying. Maybe I was just lucky. I will see this spring. I am adding another coop with another batch of chicks.
 
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I would unblock the nest boxes now, and switch to the layena, though you may want to mix the grower with the layena for a brief period so they accept it more readily. At this point they are physically ready for the layena, and you really don't know when those first eggs will come. If your birds have some of the physical signs mentioned, you may be able to tell a little more accurately, but even if your birds are squatting, it may be a day or several weeks. You won't harm anything by going with the layena now.
 
I have a mixed flock and keep them all on 22% gamebird feed. I offer oyster shell free choice and that takes care of the laying hens calcium needs. As long as your grower is not medicated I'd stay with that and maybe get a bag of crushed oyster shell so whoever starts first gets enough calcium and the ones that still have some maturing to do get the extra protien etc. that they need. The oyster shell is inexpensive and they don't eat it if they don't need it.

Go ahead and uncover the nest boxes, if they start to sleep/poo in them you can always cover them back up for awhile.
 
Felidaet - I to am adding another coop and more birds in the spring! It is addictive.... The nest box is uncovered and they look at it, but I have not seen any in it yet, they still use the roost. I have not seen the squat yet, but 2 of the hens have bright red combs now.
 

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