Grower Feed or Layer Feed?

[Mybackyardpeepers]

So you feed grower to everyone?

I switched them to an all flock, but they are pretty much same thing.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Hello! My babies are 17 weeks old and my 2 Australorps are starting to get red faces and their combs and wattles are growing. I also have 2 EEs that are the same age. I’m getting to the bottom of my last bag of Purina starter/grower feed. I’ve been reading that you shouldn’t start layer feed until you get an egg. I’ve also read that you shouldn’t use layer feed if you give them treats and offer oyster shell on the side? I’m not sure what to do, what do you guys do?

EE usually start laying later than most, around 26 weeks.
Continue to feed a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower or a All-Flock/Flock Raiser feed.
Offer Oyster Shells in a separate container after 16 weeks old, separate from Poultry Grit. I use 40 ounce pails with several 3/32 holes in the bottom, hung with a eye screw. .
I like a higher Protein feed 18/20%, because I give them Scratch Grains daily, scattered on the ground. Two Tablespoons per Chicken. A 1/4 cup for every two chickens. That's about 10% of a full size chickens diet.
I have 2 ages of Chickens, 40 months old and 11 months old.
My Hens molted last winter. One of them didn't lay for 3 months. The higher Protein feed helps to grow new feathers and she didn't need the extra Calcium in a Layers feed during that time.
I haven't fed a Layers feed in more than two years.
You can get a 18% Layers feed if you want, but I would wait till the EE are laying or showing signs of point of lay.
I've fed Hearty Hen feed before. Another that I've fed is Feather Fixer, says on the bag you can feed year round, it has higher Calcium too. Both are 18% Pellets and available at my local TSC.
I find when you have different ages, or Hens molting, (not all molt at the same time) it's more convenient if you can just feed everyone the same feed. GC

 

[Folly's place]

I also feed Purina Flock Raiser, with oyster shell on the side. My flock has young and old, roosters, hens, pullets, and sometimes chicks, all eating the same stuff.
It's easier!!!
The mill dates on this feed are within four weeks here, so it works very well for my flock. Buy something that's fresh, by mill date, where you live.
Mary