First Timer Do they need to be on layer food to lay?

[Vicker]

Coincidentally, I just saw a new video, referencing studies about feeding layer hens. He says layer feed was developed for the egg industry to provide the bare minimum of protein to create more profit. If your hens are stressed or molting or just need a little more protein, 16% isn't going to cover their needs. They'll divert energy from egg production to survive.

 

[SunnyPines]

My lovely ladies were hatched on May 6 or 7th. Nubia is the Australorp. Viola is the EE. They both have fairly red combs. Nubia squats when we touch her back. Good luck touching Viola. Anyway, I have the calcium out but they’re still on Scratch and Peck grower feed because they’re not quite 20 weeks. They won’t be until October more than likely because I have a split flock. My brother in law has 300 chickens. He says that they won’t lay until they’re on layer feed. Is that true? Also what signs should I look for? I recently saw a thread that mentioned laying down most of the day.

Pictures attached. Those are from a week ago or so. Viola is can be an a hole so I don’t have updated photos for her.

I'm a 1st timer too; I got my chicks on May 3rd from Tractor Supply: 2 Isa Browns (Honey & Ginger) , 2 Black Sex Links (Cherub(Cheri) & Seraph(Sera)), 1 White Sport Leghorn (Angel), 1 Rustic Rock (Phoebe), and 1 Rhode Island Red- who turned out to be a rooster (Roger). They were all on chick starter until about the 1st week in August when I switched to grower feed which they were all on until this Saturday 9/13 when I switched to layer feed + all flock. I got my 1 egg on 9/10-/11 - not sure which day because I only looked in from the front on 9/10 and didn't see it - on 9/11 there was this tiny little egg in corner of the box when I opened the door. So officially they were not on layer feed until after I got my first eggs. On Friday & Saturday I got 2 eggs and yesterday I got 1 egg.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I'm a 1st timer too; I got my chicks on May 3rd from Tractor Supply: 2 Isa Browns (Honey & Ginger) , 2 Black Sex Links (Cherub(Cheri) & Seraph(Sera)), 1 White Sport Leghorn (Angel), 1 Rustic Rock (Phoebe), and 1 Rhode Island Red- who turned out to be a rooster (Roger). They were all on chick starter until about the 1st week in August when I switched to grower feed which they were all on until this Saturday 9/13 when I switched to layer feed + all flock. I got my 1 egg on 9/10-/11 - not sure which day because I only looked in from the front on 9/10 and didn't see it - on 9/11 there was this tiny little egg in corner of the box when I opened the door. So officially they were not on layer feed until after I got my first eggs. On Friday & Saturday I got 2 eggs and yesterday I got 1 egg.

Welcome to BYC, and congratulations on the first eggs!

I love your pullets' names.