12 weeks old, what now?

[littleledgefarm]

I have 4 red sex links (hens) and 2 Buff Orpingtons 1 hen and 1 rooster. I bought all six at the same time and I have had them for 12 weeks. I have started them on a grower/finisher food. Just wondering if there is anything else I should be doing to keep them happy and healthy so they will be on track for laying as soon as possible?

Does anyone know when Red Sexlinks and Buff Orpingtons typically start laying?

 

[countrycakelady]

I may be wrong, but I think they need to stay on chick crumbles until they start laying... I have the same breeds, and the information that I am reading is that they won't start laying until 5-6 months old......do some reading on the threads and maybe someone who has done this longer than me can chime in with information.

 

[chickenbythesea]

24 weeks if average for point of lay. You can keep them on grower until then. At around 24 weeks you can start them on lay mash or whatever laying feed they have in your area. You have teenagers now and you're just waiting for them to mature. As for happy and healthy: lots of fresh air, outdoors in run/free ranging, scraps and green etc.