Am I doing the right thing

[nancysmith2]

I had 4 beautiful girls. 2 RIR and 2EE. 1 of each got killed by a hawk while free ranging. They were about 14 wks old. I now have 4 new babies they are now about 8 wks old. They all stay in a pen with 1 feeder and waterer. They free range 2 hrs in the afternoons. And all day on wkends. We just added nests to their coop 3 days ago for the big girls. Hoping we would soon get eggs. The big girls are about 20 wks now. I ran out of starter 3 wks ago which says feed for 6wks. I went ahead and got layer pellets. I mix the food now since everybody is in one happy coop for the last 10days. No pecking or fighting. Should the little girls not get the pellets?

 

[jenni2142]

I think the babies need the higher protein in the starter/grower and the extra calcium isn't good for them. 8 weeks is way too young for layer, I have been told it is harmful to them. Starter/grower won't hurt the older ones as long as you add oyster shell free choice separate from the feed when they start to lay, not until. I would switch back.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

You can feed them all Flock Raiser (Purina) until they are old enough to eat the layer feed.

meri

 

[nancysmith2]

Thks I have switched back. I am ready for my big girls to lay but they show no signs.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree with Jenni2142. Feed grower to all with oyster shell free choice for the older ones.

You mentioned you see no signs of laying. At 20 weeks, they could be getting real close. This link gives you the signs to be looking for. I know it is a culling site, but I am not suggesting you cull you hens. It is the best site I've found that gives the signs of laying. Here's hoping you get a pleasant surprise tomorrow.

Pigment Color – Signs of Laying
http://msucares.com/poultry/management/culling.html#id

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. I would put them on Grower or Flock Raiser until you get your first egg. I had some Grower left over and mixed it with the layer with a dish of free choice oyster shells by their feed. I had no problems.