Critique This Feeding Plan

[team_realtree]

This laying pullet feeding plan was structured out in the publication "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens". I would like to know what you experienced owners of laying pullets think about this.

-Feed chick starter and slowly switch over to grower
-Once pullets reach 8 weeks of age gradually add oats to their diet until you have a ratio of 50/50 oats/grower ration
-At 18 weeks reduce the oats and switch from grower to 18% lay ration slowly still with a mix of the two rations and oats
-By the time they come into production have them on a full commercial lay ration with no oats.

If you see any problems with this feed plan PLEASE voice your opinion.

My questions with this are when do I switch from the starter to grower? I was thinking at about 6 weeks when they go from brooder to coop.

And second can I use bulk oats from the grocery store? I can't imagine there are special "chicken" oats but I have been wrong before

I appreciate any advice you guys can offer.

They will be standard sexed RIR's. They will be arriving in mid March and should be in the coop by the end of April.

 

[atlantachickenwhisperer]

Hey,

It does not have to be that complicated. You can feed Purina Mills Sunfresh Recipe Start & Grow until week 18. Then switch over to Purina Mills SunFresh Recipe Layena pellets or crumbles for the remainder of their life. It's that simple.

 

[team_realtree]

I did a year of that style of feeding and am sure that although I got eggs my hens were not pushed to their maximum laying potential. I am trying to develop a feeding plan that will encouarge optimum laying not just keep them kickin'

 

[Teach97]

get oats from the feed store...gonna be cheaper than from a grocery store

 

[team_realtree]

Quote:
Do you know if they will be the same thing?

 

[Teach97]

oats is oats...you will be given the choce of whole, crimped, or rolled...the whole will be the same as what you get at the grocery store...they are usually reclaimed cleaned...not exactly sure what that means but is what it says...I mix some into my feed

 

[atlantachickenwhisperer]

Hey,

I understand, but it takes the same amount of time for a hen to physically produce an egg (about 25 hours) no matter what their eating. Also, there are many other factors that can effect egg laying frequency like light, temp, hydration, health, and stress. I'm just not sure that by adding oats to their feed you will see any difference.

 

[team_realtree]

Quote:
Do you know at what age I should be switching from chick starter to grower-finisher?

 

[atlantachickenwhisperer]

Hey,

I sometimes feed starter for 9 weeks, then grower for 9 weeks, and then start layer feed at 18 weeks. Normally, I just feed starter for 16 to 18 weeks and then start layer feed.

 

[jhm47]

I've read about this too. The theory behind the oats is that since oats are quite bulky, they will expand the digestive system of the pullets and cause them to become more efficient. I have no idea if it works or not.

As to hens not laying up to their supposed capacity, I would also say that in addition to diet, hydration, light, temp, and stress, genetics plays a big role also. Some breeds are naturally going to lay better than others. For instance, commercial bred Leghorns are the absolute top of the heap when it comes to producing eggs economically. There are other breeds that are good too, but commercial Leghorns are hands down the best at eggs produced per pound of feed eaten.