16 week old pullets - food type?

[curiositykt]

We just ran out of grower food for our 5 chickens (their feeder is full, so it will last them probably another week) - and I am wondering if I should buy more grower feed or switch to layer feed? I am certainly not going to need another 50 or even 20 pounds of food until they are 18 to 20 weeks old (Also, this date seems to change depending on which website/book I look at). And I feel kinda ripped off buying a couple 5 pound bags at nearly the same price as the 20 pound bags..

Is there any harm in them getting layer feed a few weeks early?

Also how early could I need nest boxes, I haven't built them yet, as I calculated they wouldn't be laying until September, but now these chickens are rather large!

 

[galanie]

They should be fine on layer food. Or you could get grower and give them oyster shell on the side. Many people with flocks of mixed ages do this. Laying hens will eat however much oyster shell they need and the others won't bother it.

But to simplify, since they're all the same age, they should be fine on the layer even though they aren't laying yet. I doubt the extra calcium will harm them since they're close.

No telling when you'll need the nest boxes but I'd put some in ASAP. They will "practice" in them a bit before laying.

 

[Vickilynn45]

These are exactly the questions I have. I'm running out of their food, and they are almost 17 weeks old now. Plus I haven't put in their laying boxes. I guess we will be getting those in in the next few days for laying practice, and then I'll make a decision about their food too.

 

[dominiques]

Mine are 8,9, and 10 weeks old and I'm out of starter mix. What should they go to? Also, are there any organic feeds out there? Thanks!

 

[bairo]

I am one of the fans of a flock raiser type feed with oyster shell on the side as I deal with mixed ages on a constant basis. I also use a scratch mix that could actually serve as a decent diet in the form of equal parts of the following

1. cracked corn
2. rolled oats
3. field peas
4. ground whole wheat
5. BOSS

For the question of organic feeds.... I personally feel that soy and GMO free is more important. But here is a list of a few you can look into

1. http://www.groworganic.com/homestead/organic-animal-feed/organic-chicken-feed.html
2. http://www.blueseal.com/livestock/organiclife/index.php
3. http://www.countrysideorganics.com/home.php
4. http://hilandnaturals.com/feed-chicken.html

 

[dominiques]

Thank you Chicken Obsessed!! I agree with the GMO free ingredients. These websites that you shared, do people order online and get it in the mail? I asked at our local Tractor Supply if they had organic feed. No they don't. I'll check Agway and ask them. Seems like we should be able to find it locally. Your scratch recipe...where do you get those ingredients? And what's BOSS? Thanks again for your help.

 

[bairo]

That scratch recipe actually is part of a feed recipe I have been working on for a while. After many months of research on nutrition levels versus simplicity of mix, that is what I came up with. With grain prices climbing like crazy, I decided to leave the feeder full of regular feed and throw this out more like a scratch. It is working great so far. Not really saving any money But I feel they are in better shape and getting 80% less soy because they much prefer the grains and only eat a little regular feed.

BOSS= Black Oil Sunflower Seed

As far as ordering...go to the sites first and bring up a dealer locator to see if any are close to you first. If not, check any local co-ops or feed stores / mills and see if they stock or order any. As a last resort; call and ask about ordering straight through the company.

PS. The name is bairo.....chicken obsessed is a title they assign depending on how many posts I have made

 

[dominiques]

Opps sorry about the name mistake. Still trying to figure these out. Thanks for the details and tips!

 

[Our Roost]

You have gotten some interesting answers of which I dont agree with all of them. First off, it is a lot more economical to buy a 50lb# bag of feed than a 5,10,15,20, or 30. I would find a reputibale feed supply source. Maybe a co-op or tractors supply as an example. A metal garbage can is a good place to store it without mice, squirels and the like. It also shouldnt mold or clump from moisture if stored inside a garage or storage shed before you use it all.
Now, lets talk about your food! Starter poultry food is generally used until birds are about 3 months old. I assume you have hens or pullets for egg laying? (Meat birds feed is a little different but not much). Changing feed at different ages is a step by step process controlled by age mostly. Most purchased products have a chart on the back of the bag to tell you when to change to "their" next product line. It is a good reference, but not all products have the same ingredients. Kind of like buying dog or cat food! One has meat byproducts and another is chicken and rice! This is where you need to get some feedback from people and also the "chickens". How well you chickens eat their food is most important. If they turn their nose up at it so to speak, try something else. Example: I ran out of a high protein mix and purchased a supplemental bag at a feed store until I could make a run to my regular store whithin the week. They ate it sparingly but werent happy with it.
At 3 months you are ready for the next update in chicken feed! Questions to ask: High protein, low or moderate protein, calcium, medicated or not, oyster shells, grit,and more come to mind just to name these. Points of interest that I have been told by my supplier and bird raiser. DONT give birds high levels of calcium, oyster shells or other egg shell developers at this time. It can cause kidney failure and some respiratory problems in birds of a young age and not fully developed yet. If you want your birds to beef up as a meat bird I suggest the high protein of over 20 percent. If not 20% or less is fine thru this stage. Grit or gravel is also okay to start using now. It will help them to digest their food. Calcium and oyster shells come in the next stage of feeding maybe or maybe not depending on the ingredients in the product you buy or the breed or weight of your birds. You may not need it. I hope this may help you a bit. Good luck!

 

[nina1marc2]

  You have gotten some interesting answers of which I dont agree with all of them. First off, it is a lot more economical to buy a 50lb# bag of feed than a 5,10,15,20, or 30. I would find a reputibale feed supply source. Maybe a co-op or tractors supply as an example. A metal garbage can is a good place to store it without mice, squirels and the like. It also shouldnt mold or clump from moisture if stored inside a garage or storage shed before you use it all.
  Now, lets talk about your food! Starter poultry food is generally used until birds are about 3 months old. I assume you have hens or pullets for egg laying?  (Meat birds feed is a little different but not much). Changing feed at different ages is a step by step process controlled by age mostly. Most purchased products have a chart on the back of the bag to tell you when to change to "their" next product line. It is a good reference, but not all products have the same ingredients. Kind of like buying dog or cat food! One has meat byproducts and another is chicken and rice! This is where you need to get some feedback from people and also the "chickens". How well you chickens eat their food is most important. If they turn their nose up at it so to speak, try something else. Example: I ran out of a high protein mix and purchased a supplemental bag at a feed store until I could make a run to my regular store whithin the week. They ate it sparingly but werent happy with it.
  At 3 months you are ready for the next update in chicken feed! Questions to ask: High protein, low or moderate protein, calcium, medicated or not, oyster shells, grit,and more come to mind just to name these. Points of interest that I have been told by my supplier and bird raiser. DONT give birds high levels of calcium, oyster shells or other egg shell developers at this time. It can cause kidney failure and some respiratory problems in birds of a young age and not fully developed yet. If you want your birds to beef up as a meat bird I suggest the high protein of over 20 percent. If not 20% or less is fine thru this stage. Grit or gravel is also okay to start using now. It will help them to digest their food. Calcium and oyster shells come in the next stage of feeding maybe or maybe not depending on the ingredients in the product you buy or the breed or weight of your birds. You may not need it.  I hope this may help you a bit. Good luck!

Quick question. My chicks are 16 weeks tomorrow and I was going to finish the small bag of starter I have for them then switch to their next stage food. My question is ....can I start oyster she'll even though their are not laying yet? I have one pullet almost ready. She is doing the egg song and squatting.