At what age

[chickenmansc]

I have two sets of girls, the first set is around twenty weeks, I believe they will start laying soon. I assume that I need to feed laying mash. Can I feed laying to mash to my second set which are ten weeks old.

 

[sumi]

The second set is too young. Pullets should not be fed laying mash until they are at least 16 weeks old, preferably older. Studies have found that a diet high in calcium (layer feed) fed to too young chickens causes damage to their kidneys. If your 2 groups are kept together you can offer the layers crushed egg or oystershells in a separate container/feeder. They will help themselves as they feel they need it. The younger ones may peck at it out of curiosity, but they will not eat much of it until they start laying.