Ok quick question. I have 20 chicks 6 weeks old and 8 guineas all on starter feed heavy with protein for growth. Today I bought 3 sebright banty chicks and I was told they were aprox. 25 weeks old. 1 rooster and 2 girls. I never had bantys and im amazed hiw small they are and just cant fathom them being 25 weeks old but the seller said they were and is very experienced and i am taking him at his word. The rooster crows but the hens have not yet laid an egg. The seller said any week now I should see some eggs from the 2 banty sebright hens. My question is being that my 20 chicks will be on starter feed for a while longer, should I buy seperate layer feed for the sebright bantys? I am excited for them to start laying and was wondering if they are of age and i switch the feed to layer will this perhaps get them laying? Would you feed the 3 older birds layer while all the rest stay on starter? Thanks to anyone who chimes in.
You do not have to put your Sebrights on layer feed. Many people do not use layer feed at all but you will need to provide them with oyster shell free choice.
I ran into this problem weeks ago. Feed store suggested another feed for us. Hens were on layena and chicks were on start and grow but, hens decided they wanted the chicks feed so now I have a big bag of layena unused right now. They are all on the same feed which is not any that I have mentioned. They are all doing good with one feed. I have always gave the hens oyster shells along with their layena since they are older hens. Few years ago we were getting soft shell eggs but we are not this year yet.
This does not answer your question, but your Sebrights are beautiful! One of my older hens is smaller than the others and looks a lot like this. I had about decided she was a Sebright or a cross. Thanks for posting pics of your lovely birds!
x2 I have a mixed flock with hens, roosters, and a younger pullet that doesn't lay. I feed them flock raiser with separate oyster shells.
Doesn't matter what you feed ... your cockrell will most likely never lay any eggs! Those pullets don't look like they will be laying soon, by how small and pale their combs are ... and layer feed won't "get them started" ... they will start when they are good and ready.
Agree with everyone above; a grower or all flock feed, with separate oyster shell. My birds all eat Flock Raiser. Mary
