Help! First egg!

[Crazychickenmama8]

Hi all! I have 8 pullets and one of my two EE layed their first egg! Hooray! But now I’m not sure if I should feed everyone layer feed and offer oyster shell cause of my only one laying. What should I do?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I’d switch to all flock with oyster shell on the side.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

they could start laying any day now. they need all the calcium they can get to lay those first few eggs. keep the layer feed

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

It sounds like you're not currently using layer feed, is that correct? If so you're most likely feeding either a starter or grower ration correct? Continue feeding that and put out a dish of oyster shell for the actively laying bird to take as needed this provides the diet that is appropriate for everyone in the flock.
If you wish to switch to a layer feed do so once the rest of the birds have begun laying or, if they are at least 18 weeks old, the next time you run out of feed. That said, there is no reason that you have to switch to a layer feed at all. Many of us opt not to use layer feed and feed a starter, grower, or all age appropriate feed at all times for all our birds using calcium in the form of oyster shell for are actively laying

 

[PirateGirl]

The beauty of oyster shell on the side is that only the chickens that need it will eat as much or little of it as they need. I would offer it now since you have some laying.

 

[Crazychickenmama8]

Ok great! So I am using starter/grower fees now. My girls are 19 & 20 weeks old. I have a few bags of the starter/grower. It’s new country organics. I will give oyster shell then when I’m done with the bags I will feed layer feed. How does this sound?

 

[PirateGirl]

Sounds good! Even the girls that have started laying are probably still growing and could benefit from the starter/grower. No sense in wasting what you have available.

You've got yourself a beautiful egg there!

 

[Crazychickenmama8]

Thank you! All our hard work has paid off. Our chickens are our family. So I have 2 EE 2 BO’s 1 Australrop and 2 GLW and 1 BLW. I’m thinking the Wyandotte’s will be last to lay? What should I expect from now on? Eggs every day from the one that’s laying and then some from others that have yet to lay or could be a while before the others lay?

 

[PirateGirl]

When I started my flock I think, though they were all the same age give or take 2 weeks, it was 4 months between my first to lay and my last to start laying. Every bird is different. Hopefully your others will start laying soon! With the breeds you have I'd expect 4-6 eggs a week from each bird. It will slowly drop off come October or so and they may or may not quit laying altogether next winter.

 

[Crazychickenmama8]

Okay, thank you so much. I guess I’ll have to check the nest boxes every day for sure now.