Feeding at 18 weeks - cockerels vs pullets

[carmangel]

Hello,
New to the forum and backyard chickens. Ours will be 18 weeks tomorrow. We think they are a New Hampshire and Rhode Island Red mix. We were told they were RIR but they look more like NHR. We aren't sure if they are cockerels or pullets. We are leaning towards pullets. We were planning on switching them to layer feed because that's what the bag of food recommends at this age. However, the bag of food also says don't feed to male chickens. So, should we hold off on switching to layer feed? And for how long? What is the absolute oldest that a cockerel will start to crow or start getting the fancy tail?
Thanks!
Carm

 

[DobieLover]

I don't feed layer feed for this very reason as well as the lower protein content in layer feed.
I feed Flock Raiser with multiple containers of oyster shell on the side for the active layers. They are on this for life.
Your cockerels should be easy to tell apart from the pullets at this age.