Wellllll...... some folks do keep their "chicks" on starter until they begin to lay, because that's what their local feed store recommends. I frequent two different feed stores, one of 'em JUST for emergency supplies or poor planning on my part, as I discovered a much better feed store further away. Unfortunately, I can't get there before they close on week days (hence the 'poor planning' comment, should I run out of feed before the weekend) and can only make it on week ends. But that's where I bought most of my chicks and USUALLY all of my feed.
The second and best feed store offers Nutrena/NatureWise "grower/finisher" feed, which is the intermediate one between starter and layer feeds. The other feed store employees didn't even realize there was such a thing.
I now feed my entire flock (except for any chicks under 8 wks of age) grower/finisher feed, and provide crushed oyster shell free choice for the laying pullets/hens. I do not feed layer feed.
