Changing Feed

[Krystal754]

Hi All, how many weeks does a chicken need to be when you change their feed to laying feed. I currently have 3 Easter Eggers and 3 Cuckoo Marans. They are all almost 12 weeks old.
When I give them laying feed do I also give them oyster shells?

 

[Chookwagn]

I wouldnt switch to Layering feed until they actually start laying and then you can give them grit/oyster shell as well.

 

[Folly's place]

If you decide to feed a layer diet, it should be after all the birds are actually laying eggs. It's still best to have a separate dish of oyster shell out there, in case anyone wants it.
There's no actual reason to switch to a layer diet, an all-flock diet would be fine, with the separate oyster shell.
Mary

 

[aart]

There's no actual reason to switch to a layer diet, an all-flock diet would be fine, with the separate oyster shell.

Ditto Dat!!

 

[Krystal754]

Ditto Dat!!

Is there a brand you recommend?

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

I don't offer oyster shell when feeding a well balanced layer feed I have never needed it. The shells have always been fine. If feeding all flock I would give them a oyster shell option as well.

I'm a werido and mix mini pellets and regular pellets of two different brands. We have a local mill that grinds and produces custom feed that I purchase from sometimes or I'll mix Dumour mini with Southern States, Purina or Kalmbach. As long as it's well balanced and my hens like it if I find it on sale or a bargain I pick it up. I figure I would not want to eat the same thing over and over so why would they. But like I said I'm a rule breaker so i'm sure some others would think different.

 

[Folly's place]

Here we can get Purina's Flock Raiser, 20% protein, probiotics, all that, fresh within three or four weeks of milling at our local feed stores. We don't feed an organic diet, because of the cost. Also it's better priced than the Nutrena, for example.
You have to see what's fresh by mill date where you shop, it might be something different. An all flock diet, or a grower, if it's 18% to 20% protein, something.
Mary

 

[rayrose]

I tried the Purina All Flock and it was 50% dust and my girls wouldn't eat it Bought Nutrena, and the girls love it and best of all NO DUST.

 

[aart]

Is there a brand you recommend?

Here we can get Purina's Flock Raiser, 20% protein, ....
...fresh within three or four weeks of milling at our local feed stores.

That's what I use too....not always that fresh here...but learning to look at the manufacturing date n any feed is a good thing to do.