I am so confused on feeding

[Kalebsmomma]

I have 2 1 year old and 15 14 week old Golden Comet hens. My first 12 we owned we fed grower feed til they we 16 weeks because 10/12 started laying. We started them on layer feed at that point. They all did fine.
I came here just to make sure what when we should start with the new hens. But I read so many things I am now officially confused.
When should we start layer feed? Or should we? We just used up the last of the grower feed. I want to make sure if I should just go buy the layer feed now or buy grower feed and waste the rest in a couple weeks.
Oh and as a side note we are rescuing a rooster in a week.

Hope this makes sense!
Thanks!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I feed all sorts of things. Chick feed until they can eat pellets, or layer crumble if they are hatched by a broody.

My single males that aren't for food get flock raiser

Males for eating get layer crumble.

Some of my flocks get flock raiser

Some flocks get both

Some flocks get just layer, including the males

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have 2 1 year old and 15 14 week old Golden Comet hens. My first 12 we owned we fed grower feed til they we 16 weeks because 10/12 started laying. We started them on

My first Flock were 5 Golden Comets.
2 started to lay at 16 weeks.
I started mixing Starter Grower feed 18% with layer feed 50/50 with Oyster Shells separately till the Starter-Grower feed was gone.
All the Comets were laying at 19 weeks.
I currently have 18 weeks old Rhode Island Reds and Barred Rocks.
Non are laying, they are still eating a Starter Grower feed.
I won't switch to a layer feed till one of each breed is laying, by mixing it 50/50 with a layer feed till the Starter-grower feed is gone.

We just used up the last of the grower feed.

I would get a 25 lb bag of Grower feed if they were mine.

Oh and as a side note we are rescuing a rooster in a week.

If he were in my Flock he would get an Oyster Shells free Layer feed. GC

ETA; Why a Layers feed without Oyster Shells in the ingredients?
Well Oyster Shells stays in the Gizzard longer, something a Cockerel/Rooster doesn't need.
A Layers feed with Calcium Carbonate only will pass through the Gizzard Quickly.
Less Calcium absorbed.

 

[nuthatched]

I feed flock raiser/all flock /chick feed with oyster shell on the side. No fuss

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I feed flock raiser/all flock /chick feed with oyster shell on the side. No fuss

^ this would be my recommend as well. No muss, no fuss, no question about when to swap feeds, or what happens if the "wrong" bird eats it.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I feed flock raiser/all flock /chick feed with oyster shell on the side. No fuss

Agreed. Keep it simple.

 

[MountainWoman73]

No need to waste any. It won't hurt your pullets to eat layer feed a little early, and it won't hurt your hens to be on starter/grower for a little bit. The layer feed is just a little lower in protein and higher in calcium.

 

[Brooks_]

Count me with Nut, Storm & LadiesAndJane. While the layer won't hurt anyone until long term use, the all flock and oyster shell (on the side) is just as easy and even the layers don't need all the calcium in layer feed all the time. They can regulate themselves just fine with the oyster shell.

 

[Kalebsmomma]

Thank you all! Just want to do right for my ladies! Read so many things made my head spin!

 

[K0k0shka]

I agree with others who use flock raiser + calcium on the side. It's the easiest and all the birds can eat it, at any age.