Ahead of Schedule... how to feed a layer among all young pullets?

[Grey Bird Farm]

I have several young pullest all 2-3 months old. The are still eating a complet growing formula. Yesterday on a whim I got a 22 week old pullet who started laying last week. I already have 80 lbs of chick feed (unopened) I know that there is calcium need that will not be met for the new layer. Should I go and trade my bag for a layer feed? or is there something that I can give the new girl on the side until the other catch up?

From what I've read, Oyster shell is a supplement in addition to a layer feed and is not enough alone. Hmmm

Thoughts? Insights? Recommendations?

 

[Bedste]

I would keep the chick feed and add oyster shell and laying mesh or pellets to it and use it up feeding it to all.

 

[Judy]

I'd feed everyone the grower; it won't hurt the laying hen. I would NOT mix oyster shell into it as that is too much calcium for the younger ones and can damage their kidneys. I would offer oyster shell separately; the younger ones should not take much if any, and it will give the hen the source of calcium she needs.

I don't feel grit or oyster shell should ever be added to the feed. I feel they need to be able to choose how much they want, so they need to be separate.

 

[Grey Bird Farm]

I ended up feeding the grower to everyone and I put a separate dish of oyster shell on the side. About 3 weeks later I started getting weird eggs from my one laying hen. Soft shell, small with no yolk etc. I looked and she has stopped eating the oyster shell. I got a 5 lb bag of layer pellets and put out a small dish of that every day and she was the only one who ate it and the eggs were back to normal in no time. Phew... glad that's over!