??Changing feed???

[CoyoteMagic]

I am just about out of Start & Grow and need to get some more feed. Question is, the girls are 16 weeks old, do you think I can switch them to Layers pellets now or should I wait until they start to actually lay? I'd hate to waste money on feed I would only need for a few weeks.

 

[allen wranch]

Start & Grow is sold in 25 lb bags in some stores if that will take you up to around 20 weeks.

Otherwise, get some layer feed and mix it 50/50 with the Start & Grow you have left , then gradually add the layer until that is all they are eating.

Some people wait until they see the first egg to switch to layer. I like to switch at about 18 weeks. Either way, you need to do it gradually by mixing the two feeds together first.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Ok that's what I will do then. Just wanted to make sure that the Start n Grow would't harm them once they started laying.

I'll get 25 of each and mix.

Thanks!

 

[CtlisencedArborist]

Thats what i do...and since i get new chix's every 12-20 weeks I always have both on hand.Gezz,Ima have alot of chx's arent I?lol

 

[ChickaChickaBoomBoom]

I recently switched to layer from All Purpose Poultry, mixing them together somewhat, and my hens seemed to have stopped eating it completely. I let them free-range in the backyard during the day, but yesterday I left them locked in their run with only the feed. They about knocked me down when I let them out.

Any suggestions to get them to start eating the layer feed, or should I buy more APP and just let them make it up by roaming the yard?

-Dave

 

[thndrdancr]

I am having the same problem. My EE has not eaten any of the feed for over 6 days now. My red sex link finally started eating out of desperation, but I think my EE will starve before she eats it.

I am personally just going back to grower and will supplement mightily with calcium any way we can. I have about a 60/40 mix and the ee is so hungry she is actually trying to pick the grower out of the layer.

 

[cheeptrick]

thndrdancr How old is your EE? Mine are doing the same...free ranging only and eating very little feed. I've 24 EE's which will be 18 weeks old tomorrow. They keep hovering in one area of the yard in the treeline and I keep looking around for eggs because I think they may hide them because they are free ranged all day and locked up at night till 10am the next day. The feed store clerk swears I should wait on layer until they are 24 weeks old...I would like to incorporate it slowly into the grower. Should I give them oyster shell too?

 

[thndrdancr]

cheeptrick,

My ee is about 20 weeks old now. I switched over to layer about 2 weeks ago becuz my red sex link hen started laying about 3 1/2 weeks ago. They neither one like it, and mine dont free range enuff to get all they need without eating their feed. So unless I get a dif brand of layer to try, am switching back to grower. I also give them oyster shell, the EE is not eating it yet, but the red must feel she needs it cuz she gobbles it up.
I personally wouldnt wait til 24 weeks, usually they start laying before that time. My EE hasnt yet, but it will be any day, she keeps checking out the nestbox the last two days.

Jill

 

[devora]

I called the local supplier of my organic layer pellets to see if it would be OK to begin the switch at 17 weeks (mixing it w/ the grower until I run out of grower) and the guy gave me a whopping big, “No problem!” I am more confused than ever.

 

[catballou24]

we didn't mix them...just switched when we ran out of chick feed at about 16 weeks...they are doing just fine. should be laying eggs any day now actually..

they definitely eat less when free ranging though. right now we are keeping them in coop and run until they actually lay...so they don't start out leaving eggs under bushes..

so they are going through their feed fast now...