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You can check for physical signs ( red comb and wattles, large pelvic gap {whatever it’s called}, etc.) and you can also you the breed/s as a starting point. A blue egg wouldn’t be layed by a white egg laying breed, and a white egg wouldn’t be layed by a brown egg laying breed.

Yeah. Fermenting feed seems like too much of a hassle to me and so many people have gotten it seriously wrong, it doesn’t seem worth the effort when nutritionists are figuring out what they need and how to get it to them dry and in a bag.

No, because I don’t see why it’s necessary. The food is developed to have everything they need fresh out of the bag, so taking the time to ferment it just seems like a waste to me.

I never switch to layer feed at all, as I have found using Flock Raiser is much easier and your can feed it whenever to really whoever.

Yes, but not all breeds or chickens start laying at 18 weeks. They don’t need the excess calcium until they are laying. I bet probably half of the people who helped write the Purina instructions have never even seen a chicken, and don’t understand that not all breeds lay at 18-20 weeks.

I was reading through this thread and YES, layer feed will hurt the non-laying chickens. Layer feed should only be given to chickens that are actively laying. I would hold off on the layer feed completely until they are all laying, but since you have a cockerel you might never be able to feed...