Hens CLOSE to laying, can I switch to Layer Feed?

[AllChookUp]

I have 10 hens that should start laying sometime in mid-November. I'm running low on Grower feed, and I don't want to buy another bag and only use a little bit of it.

Am I safe to switch to Layer feed a few weeks before the hens start laying?


On a related topic, I'm thinking of putting together a short definitive FAQ document on when to feed which feeds - Does anyone think that would be helpful?


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[BJ]

How old are they? Yes, I would switch to layer. They can start getting the calcium they need for strong shells.

 

[BJ]

How old are they? Yes, I would switch to layer. They can start getting the calcium they need for strong shells.

Computer glitch....??...for some reason, this posted twice.

 

[AllChookUp]

They are 20 weeks old now.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Sometimes a feed store will give you a 2 or 5 pound bag of something that might tide you over. You could call and ask before you make a trip.

Otherwise, I think it would be okay to start layer feed. At 20 weeks, they're not chicks anymore, that's for sure.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

duplicate post - sorry

 

[the simple life]

I switch all mine over to layer feed at 18 weeks. They should start to get the extra calcium they need a little before hand.
Also, hens usually start to lay between 18-24 weeks anyway.
I use Purina Start n Grow for the chicks and then I switch to Purina Layer crumbles, the bags both tell you to switch at 18 weeks.
That has been my extent of experience with it, its working well for me.
There is quite a few threads on here about this very topic and the feeds etc. You can probably find more info through a search, there were two threads like this just last week.

 

[BaronRenfrew]

Gidday :

go ahead and buy the layer feed now. I've raised many birds from chicks to adult only on layer feed. it happens with a barnyard and they all run loose and eat the same thing. The chicks just take longer to grow and mature.

 

[BaronRenfrew]

Gidday :

go ahead and buy the layer feed now. I've raised many birds from chicks to adult only on layer feed. it happens with a barnyard and they all run loose and eat the same thing. The chicks just take longer to grow and mature.

 

[AllChookUp]

Thanks for the responses. I already have a big bag of Layer feed. Just didn't want to buy another bag of Grower. The GLWs and BOs are pretty big already.

Have a great day, y'all.