How to transition from chick to layer feed?

[2MChickens]

If unopened, the store will take the layer feed back. No, it's not okay to feed a growing pullet. It has too much calcium (hard on kidneys) and not enough protein 9required for cell growth). You may safely feed all flock feed, though, such as Purina Flock Raiser. That can be fed at any time, laying or not, and it has plenty of protein for cell growth.

Oh good to no! Thank you!

 

[2MChickens]

Agreed. For future reference, the feeding instructions on the bag should give you the age at which it's safe to feed any particular feed. I believe most layer feeds recommend no earlier than 15-16 weeks of age because of the reasons Azygous gave.

Did not know this! Thank you!!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I know you should switch over when the pullets start laying but my husband accidentally bought a 40lb bag of layer feed so I wanted to know if it’s okay to feed that until the bag is gone and then switch back to starter/grower?

If it's fairly freshly milled you can also hang onto it until the chicks are old enough to eat layer feed, assuming you wish to go that route.