Different ages, different feed

[Bitter Lakr]

We have 2 red x aged 15 weeks, 2 Barred rocks 19 weeks and 2 Plymouth Rocks 21 weeks. Only one of the Plymouth's has begun to lay small eggs in the last week. We have had them all on grower feed with treats of oats, raisins (on occasion) table scraps. They alse are let out of the run a couple times a day to roam around the yard. We have just begun to feed layer mash to the Rocks. It is difficult to separate them to feed. So far we have separated them in the morning to give the Rocks the layer mash and the grower feed is always available to all of them. Is it OK to allow the ready to lay but not yet laying hens have the mash and visa versa. When we separate them, the younger hens pace and lament until they are allowed back together.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I would hold off on the 15 week olds. I would continue grower feed and provide oyster shell in a separate container or mix the layer and grower half and half but also still provide oyster shell.

 

[Bitter Lakr]

Thanks, we have been giving the Rocks egg shells which we have baked and crushed. Do the hens have to be actually laying to get the mash or is it okay when they are of age. We will certainly try to keep the Red X separated for a few more weeks since I understand that lay a little later.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I would hold off on the 15 week olds. I would continue grower feed and provide oyster shell in a separate container or mix the layer and grower half and half but also still provide oyster shell.

X2....i use starter our 18-20% grower, all flock, flock raiser etc plus oyster shell asst all times, easiest way to feed a mixed flock

 

[snow5164]

Id mix the grower and layer half and half like Mary said and be done with it.

My breeder doesn't buy grower , she feeds starter til 16-18 weeks then layer , she's had healthy chicks for over 30 years. Some times we worry too much

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Commercial farms feed a pre-lay diet of about 2.5% calcium starting at about 18 weeks. But they also keep them in blackout housing on about 8 hours of light till about 16 weeks when they start increasing day length. This starts them all laying within a week or so of each other. However, they are all the same breed.
Mixing half and half 1%:4% calcium will give you the equivalent to a pre-lay diet which allows the pullet to accumulate calcium stores in the medullary bone.
And 2.5% calcium likely won't harm a bird over 15 weeks.

With backyard flocks, we can't guarantee when our birds will commence laying - especially after summer solstice.

 

[lazy gardener]

Just to toss in a differing opinion: If you want to feed layer to your flock, I'd not have any concerns about starting it at 15 weeks. If you want to keep them on multi flock (18 - 20%) with oyster shell on the side, that's good for any age. Your choice.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Just to toss in a differing opinion: If you want to feed layer to your flock, I'd not have any concerns about starting it at 15 weeks. If you want to keep them on multi flock (18 - 20%) with oyster shell on the side, that's good for any age. Your choice.

I would tend to agree with that except that most with backyard flocks have no idea when they will start to lay.
If they are 15 weeks in May and layer feed is started, it may be OK.
However, if they are 15 weeks later in the year, they may not start laying till after winter solstice. That could have birds that are not laying eggs consuming too much calcium for 6 months or more.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Check out this.
www.nap.edu/read/2114/chapter/4#25
Scroll down to Minerals and vitamins.
It says feeding pullets 14 weeks or older caused no detrimental effects on performance through 60 weeks.
Feeding high-calcium levels several weeks before onset of egg production, seems to do no harm. GC

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Check out this.
www.nap.edu/read/2114/chapter/4#25
It says feeding pullets 14 weeks or older caused no detrimental effects on performance through 60 weeks.
Feeding high-calcium levels several weeks before onset of egg production, seems to do no harm. GC

Effects on egg production (performance) is not the same as doing no harm. The effect is not related to production