How Early for Layer Feed

[irsmun]

I'm am at the bottom of my 50lb bag of all flock for my 10 birds. They are all 15-18 weeks old now and should start laying soon. Is it too early to go ahead and put them on layer feed? I know I won't go through another 50lb bag before they start laying.

 

[Leahsandora11]

After I’ve ran out I’ve started giving them layer because they were all about to lay but if their too young it can get them sick, some of my first chickens didn’t start laying for over 8 months I’m not sure if it’s because feeding that too early or just because.

 

[NatJ]

I'm am at the bottom of my 50lb bag of all flock for my 10 birds. They are all 15-18 weeks old now and should start laying soon. Is it too early to go ahead and put them on layer feed? I know I won't go through another 50lb bag before they start laying.

I would buy another bag of all flock feed this time, and put out a separate dish of oyster shell so each pullet can get enough calcium when she starts to need it.

The only special thing about layer feed is that it has more calcium mixed in than other feeds (too much for growing chicks, but about right for laying hens.) But laying hens also do fine if they eat all flock feed and have a separate source of calcium (dish of oyster shell.)

If you want to use layer feed, I would wait until they are all laying, and then buy it the next time your bag of all flock runs out.

 

[irsmun]

I would buy another bag of all flock feed this time, and put out a separate dish of oyster shell so each pullet can get enough calcium when she starts to need it.

I already have oyster shell out for them. They also free range a good 1/2 day and have kitchen scraps and compost to sift through. I didn't want to over nutrionalize them but I wasn't sure how close is ok. I know there are stories of sickness but I have found that people tend to over-coddle their chickens like they were people. I figured their instincts would guide their diet when they have choices.

I'll go ahead with anther bag of all flock.

 

[Brooks_]

I'll go ahead with anther bag of all flock

I'd still recommend all flock and oyster shell after that bag. The layers will not always need the extra calcium in layer feed. Molt, slowed winter laying, just not a heavy layer, etc.