Beggining Layer Feed

[furrybollocks]

I have one girl who's getting about ready to lay at 4 1/2 months so it's time to switch her onto layer feed and pump some extra calcium into her, but my other pullets aren't quite there yet. I have two that are coming up on three and four months, and I don't want to mess with their health. Would it be okay to go ahead and make the switch from grower, or do I need to wait? They all eat from the same feeder together and I'm not sure how I would seperate them if I really have to.

 

[QueenMisha]

Always switch based on the age of the youngest bird in the flock. I would wait until your 12 week olds are at least 16 weeks.

Grower alone for a period of time won't hurt an older bird but calcium-laden layer feeds can injure younger fowl's kidneys.

 

[bigt447]

I recommend that you put out crushed oyster shells now.....i understand that only needing the extra calcium will eat it.

 

[furrybollocks]

Okay, thank you for the tips. I'll stick with grower and oyster shells until mid October and then make the transition- hopefully more of my girls will be ready to lay by then.