16 Week Old Egg Laying

[lilgreene19]

What are the protein and calcium percentages of these feeds?
'Crumble' and 'pellets' only tells us the shape of the feed,
need to know the vital nutrient content that's listed on the tag sewn into bottom of feed bag.

Do not put OS in with feed, put it in a separate feeder available at all times.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @lilgreene19
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Hi! Thank you for the welcome! I am located in MA! The Purina Organic Crumble is 16% protein. I will grab another feeder to put only oyster shells into! Thank you! Its been chilly recently as we are heading into fall.

 

[aart]

Tractor Supply gave us 1 bag of starter feed & then they were outside getting layer crumble, per Tractor Supply and what they told us. So for 6 weeks they got starter and then switched to Layer Crumble..

Sigh. Not good. You'd think TSC employees would know better, but often they do not.
They should not get the level(3-4%) of calcium until they are actually laying.
But will be a good 'experiment' as to how that much calcium affects non layers.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Tractor Supply gave us 1 bag of starter feed & then they were outside getting layer crumble, per Tractor Supply and what they told us. So for 6 weeks they got starter and then switched to Layer Crumble..

That really is bad...not your fault.
But 6 week olds should NEVER get layer feed.

 

[lilgreene19]

Do you provide oyster shell?

I do. I mix it in with their scratch & just started mixing it with their food.

 

[coach723]

Like others have said, I would offer the oyster shell in a separate feeder all the time, rather than mixing it in the feed. You also mentioned scratch, I would really limit scratch to only very occasional treats. Yes, they love it, but it tends to be high in fat and low in protein, so they can really end up with some health problems if they are getting too much of it. And many of them will fill up on it and not eat their regular feed, leading to nutritional deficiencies.

 

[RevlisRemmah]

They all act fine & are doing just fine. Never been sick. And are really happy chickens.

I know it’s hard to come back and read comments that say some things you were doing might not be best practice for your chickens. Just know everyone on here loves their chickens just like you and are trying to help. This education is free but is also priceless!
I’m a new chicken keeper too and still have so much to learn. I’m jealous yours are laying at 16 weeks! Mine with be 16 weeks this coming week and are nowhere near close I’m so impatient!
I think you got some good advice! Provide oyster shell in a separate container so you no longer have to mix it into their food or treats. If you are interested there is a kind of food called “All-Flock” that you can switch to. You can use it for layers, any new chicks you get, roosters, etc. then you provide oyster shells on the side and you’ll be all set for the future!! Good luck!

 

[lilgreene19]

I know it’s hard to come back and read comments that say some things you were doing might not be best practice for your chickens. Just know everyone on here loves their chickens just like you and are trying to help. This education is free but is also priceless!
I’m a new chicken keeper too and still have so much to learn. I’m jealous yours are laying at 16 weeks! Mine with be 16 weeks this coming week and are nowhere near close I’m so impatient!
I think you got some good advice! Provide oyster shell in a separate container so you no longer have to mix it into their food or treats. If you are interested there is a kind of food called “All-Flock” that you can switch to. You can use it for layers, any new chicks you get, roosters, etc. then you provide oyster shells on the side and you’ll be all set for the future!! Good luck!

Some of my Hens are not close. 1 is laying (not loyally because she just started last week), and another one is going to start soon (she starts to crouch when I get near her lol, and her comb and waddles are big like the one who is laying now). The others are a bit behind . I just want my girls to have the BEST which is why I feed them organic. I appreciate the advise. I mean, nothing I can do now lol they're past 16 weeks old and no longer chicks. But will keep note for next time. I just wanted to make sure that when they start laying, that 1. It is OK to have soft shell eggs at first. 2. Make sure that I am doing the right thing from here on out. (Which means I will NOT give them Pellets until they are ALL laying). Which I dont know when that will be because its getting chilly in Massachusetts now and they're starting to molt for the winter months, which also means less egg production.

 

[Big Doggie]

Yes, I am well aware of the changes in the length of daylight throughout the year, I follow it rather passionately. The Autumnal Equinox is just a few days away.

I don't really go by the 'stages' the feed companies subscribe to,
nor do I believe that 'organic' is really that, or superior.

I feed 20% Purina Flock Raiser to balance out the bit of 8% scratch grains and other treats I like to give, so I provide Oyster Shell(mix with crush eggs shells when I have them) in a separate container for the active layers because FR has low(~1%)calcium.

I encourage you to learn about the nutritive content on the feeds,
should be on a tag sewn into the bottom of the feed bags.
Also pay attention to the manufacturing date, many feeds on the shelves are older,
I don't buy anything more than a couple months old. MFG date should be printed on the tag and the sew strip.
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Aart: your bag says 20% protein but my Layer feed only says 16% protein.
Also your bag says it’s for broiler chickens. Do laying hens need the same protein level as broilers?

 

[Big Doggie]

Yes, it does because it is.

Most layer feeds are only 16%....and meant to be the sole ration.

Laying hens can survive and produce on less protein.
As I said in another post I like the higher protein so I can give other foods.
They actually only get about 18-19% when I figure in those other foods.

Thanks for the clarification

 

[lilgreene19]

What are you feeding the flock?
She needs extra calcium to form the shells on her eggs. I would put out a container or two of oyster shell for her and the others to eat free choice.
When her reproductive system fully matures, she should become more consistent with egg quality.

I am feeding her Purina Organic Crumble. I put oyster shells in the food & the scratch (also purina organic). They avoid the oyster shells (Dumor) and go for everything else (picky girls!).

I haven't switched to pellets because only one chicken is laying right now. The others haven't even gotten the big red comb like the one who is laying. Its starting to grow, but its not there yet.