First egg alert feeding question 😁

[Owlalwaysbeme]

I was super excited to find my very first egg laid by my Rhode Island read this morning question as I have five other hens of different breeds that are not laying yet and still have a few weeks of maturity before they begin lay should I mix layer feed in with my grower feed or should I switch over to a laying feed? Thanks

 

[SueT]

Use up the grower feed, and offer some oyster shell on the side. Those that need it will eat it

 

[Yardmom]

You can do oyster shells or extra egg shells with grower feed or all flock for their whole life. Nutrition wise it is better than layer. Layer feed is a bit cheaper though.

 

[Kiki]

Finish the bag of grower feed and then switch them all over to the layer feed.
It's actually better to start them on layer feed a few weeks before you get the first egg.

 

[Shadrach]

You can do either; grower feed with oyster shell, or switch to layers feed.
As Kiki mentions above allowing the hens to accumulate a store of calcium before they start laying can help to reduce some of those early egg abnormalities.
Some pullets take a while to work out their calcium intake and layers feed, assuming they'll eat it, takes care of this without the complication of providing calcium seperately.
My preference in the long term is an all flock type feed and calcium supplement available for the laying hens daily.
It's making the judgement when to make the change over to a higher calcium feeding option that is important. Only you can do this by observing the maturity of your hens.
If you have a male then his interest in mating with the hens can help guide you.