17 week 2 day old chickens...

[Panhandler80]

I've been feeding them medicated chick grower along with table scraps every couple of days and some dried mealworms every so often.

Well, I'm almost completely out of chick grower. I MIGHT have another day or so left. It's okay to switch them on over to a layer feed, isn't it? Figured I might cut the layer with what little grower I have left to make the transition a little less harsh. Everything I've read says 18 weeks of grower, then layer feed. Gut tells me switching at 17.5 or so will be fine.

Right?

 

[Northwest_Wannabe]

I don't personally feel like a few days would make a difference but I'd also love to hear others chime in

 

[IttyBittyBirdy]

I don't see why switching now would cause any issues.

Your title though, I thought I had issues after reading that.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I've been feeding them medicated chick grower along with table scraps every couple of days and some dried mealworms every so often.

Well, I'm almost completely out of chick grower. I MIGHT have another day or so left. It's okay to switch them on over to a layer feed, isn't it? Figured I might cut the layer with what little grower I have left to make the transition a little less harsh. Everything I've read says 18 weeks of grower, then layer feed. Gut tells me switching at 17.5 or so will be fine.

Right?

Are they all pullets? I switched mine early (16 weeks) the first time I raised chicks. They didn't start laying until 24 weeks! I think you'll be fine. However, since that time I've been really turned on to the idea of using an all-flock feed if you have roosters and providing egg shells/oysters free choice. Also helpful if you ever want to hatch chicks. I did, and feed was quite the conundrum and now I see why all-flock would have been the easiest choice.

 

[Panhandler80]

Are they all pullets? I switched mine early (16 weeks) the first time I raised chicks. They didn't start laying until 24 weeks! I think you'll be fine. However, since that time I've been really turned on to the idea of using an all-flock feed if you have roosters and providing egg shells/oysters free choice. Also helpful if you ever want to hatch chicks. I did, and feed was quite the conundrum and now I see why all-flock would have been the easiest choice.

All pullets.

 

[Folly's place]

Continue with a grower or all flock feed, and don't switch to a layer feed until they are all laying eggs. have a dish of oyster shell out there, and if you do switch to a layer feed, do it later.
Mary

 

[Panhandler80]

Continue with a grower or all flock feed, and don't switch to a layer feed until they are all laying eggs. have a dish of oyster shell out there, and if you do switch to a layer feed, do it later.
Mary

Well crap. I picked up 4 bags of layer this pm and have already dumped one into two feeders.

What's up with bag saying go to layer feed at 18 weeks? Purina.

Am i running a particular risk feeding them this at current age / development?

 

[Folly's place]

Some pullets do start laying eggs that soon, and many don't. Depending on the mill dates on those unopened bags, consider returning them so you can get fresher feed later.
Mary

 

[Panhandler80]

Some pullets do start laying eggs that soon, and many don't. Depending on the mill dates on those unopened bags, consider returning them so you can get fresher feed later.
Mary

Turns out I picked up three bags, not four. They went through the last 50# of Start and Grow in what had to have been less than two weeks. I'm sure I can store my last bag (cool and dry) for six weeks.

Assuming the feed is safe... can I do any harm to them by feeding 17.5 week old pullets layer feed?

Yesterday I did go ahead and remove the board that was blocking nesting boxes, and I set some straw pads in each box. Will put a few golf balls out there next day or two. You know.... just in case!

 

[Folly's place]

You do have locks on the exterior nest box door, I hope. It's exciting, that first egg!
Here our pullets are twelve and fifteen weeks old, so we have a ways to go yet for them.
Mary