First egg today!

[AFilipowski]

I have been following this forum since I got three baby pullers from Tractor Supply this spring. Wanted a variety of bull, barred rock and EE. Ended up with three white leghorns and they are really great. Flighty, but they do let us hold from time to time. GOT OUR FIRST EGG TODAY! 19 weeks.

My question is about food. I have fed strictly Scratch and Peck chick feed until about 10 weeks and grower since then. We started offering oyster shell today outside the coop. They stay out for about 8 hours a day. Really don't want to add layer feed because there is no pressure. Is there a physical reason to do it?

 

[Pyxis]

and congrats! The first egg is always a great surprise!

As for the feed, layer feed is good for them when they're laying because it has extra calcium that they need to produce egg shells and it helps prevent problems like soft shelled eggs and egg binding. It also has a lower protein content than grower does. Since you're offering oyster shell, you should be fine to just keep feeding the grower, but if you notice any problems in egg quality or if a hen becomes egg bound, it would be best to switch to layer.

 

[AFilipowski]

Thank you!

 

[N F C]

Congratulations on your first (of many) eggs! That's a big day!