changing feed

[Team01]

Hello: I have a flock of chickens that were hatched on 2-26-2024 They are 128 days old. When can I switch from chick starter to lay crumble

 

[ChickyCh00k]

The typical recommendation is to switch to layer feed (with free choice oyster shell or other calcium source available on the side) around 18 weeks of age. Many people use an "all flock" feed with oyster shell on the side, because an "all flock" feed tends to be higher in protein than typical layer feeds.

If hatched on 2/26/24, your birds are now 18 weeks of age.

 

[nuthatched]

Give it 3 more months.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

There is no need to change to a "Layer" feed, and some benefit (admittedly limited) to not, offset by (usually) slightly higher cost and the rare inconvenience of buying or refilling oyster shell (or similar calcium source) in a separate dish.

Longer spiel here.

If you do choose to switch to a Layer formulation, the most important date is not age of your birds but rather "point of Lay". Are they laying yet? If so, switch. Are they not laying yet, but most are showing indications they are about to? (typically, "squatting" behaviors, pronounced reddening of the comb, sometimes exploration/sitting in nesting boxes) If so, go ahead and switch.

Start of Lay is a strong suggestion, which varies by breed and individual w/i the breed. Daily light levels have influence too - though that isn't likely a factor here, assuming you are Northern Hemisphere. If your birds are Production Red Hybrids (unlikely as you hatched yourself, but certainly possible), you are probably about there. If they are Brahma, Wyandottes, or plenty of other breeds, you may have several more months to wait...

 

[U_Stormcrow]

and are your parent stock from these birds? I noticed you mentioned having/discovering roosters in your flock in another thread, but I didn't see where you identified breed(s).

If your hatchlings are result of mixed flock/barnyard breeding, it will be very difficult to offer accurate guess at a point of lay range. Offspring often fall in the parent "range", but not always - particularly where the parent is themselves a cross.