Feeding Hens....14 to 20 weeks old

[Stan]

I have just acquired two Buff Orpington 4 month old hens and these are my first chickens. They were being fed Purina Layer Crumbles. My question is what do you feed during the 14 week to 20 week age. If I understand it correctly, Chick Starter should be fed until 14 weeks old and Layer should be fed from 20 weeks on... A Feed Store clerk told me to feed them Chick Grain during the 14 to 20 week period...which doesn"t sound right.... I realize that it's only a four week period but I want to do the best/right thing for these beautiful girls. Comments are welcomed....

 

[CountryMom]

First off....

I use to feed the Purina Layena. I have discovered however, that my flock does much better on Purina Flockraiser. It is designed for a mixed age flock. So you can feed it to the youngins and to the layers. My egg production is better with Flockraiser and my babies/prelayers are looking nice a fluffy and healthy.

 

[chookchick]

Yes, I agree with Countrymom, feed the flock raiser, and just keep a dish of oyster shell out for them to get their calcium. You will find that they start eating the oyster shell about a week before they start laying. So feed the chick starter (which should be higher protein) and then phase into flock raiser at 20 weeks or so. I think by "chick grains" she was referring to "chick scratch" which should just be used as a treat in small amounts. You will soon learn to take everything they tell you at the feed store with a grain of salt...just nod and say "okay, thanks" and go about your original plan...

and

 

[Stan]

Thank you for the information.... I appreciate your input. The Flock Raiser over Layena was news to me.

Stan

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum. Glad you are here.

This might help you understand the difference in the feeds.

Oregon State Feeding Chickens
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/html/pnw/pnw477/#anchor1132074

Good Luck!!!

 

[speckledhen]

The simple version is feed starter/grower till they begin laying, or turn 18-20 weeks, whichever comes first, then switch to layer. That's usually the way I do it. Can't get plain grower here other than Game Bird grower, which I've used on occasion, but their poop smells worse on the game bird feeds. The ideal thing to feed just prior to laying is plain grower, which is usually about 15% protein and designed to slow down their maturing process so they won't have as many egg-related problems brought on by laying too early.