How old should the young birds be...

[IggiMom]

When should I change my adolescent chickens over to layer ration?

Thanks.

Catherine

 

[The Chicken People]

18 weeks or laying!

 

[juliawitt]

My 16 7 week old pullets are integrated in with my 2 mature hens during the day in the run...here is the problem; They run for the big girls layer crumbles the minute they get out!! Is this bad for them? At night they are still segregated in their own brooder (around 7is) and then they are forced to eat their baby crumbles. What can I do to keep them out of the layer food??? I didn't worry until I kept reading different posts.......
Should I worry? Are they not get nutrients?

 

[RendonRoo]

A little shouldn't hurt but layer has extra calcium for egg formation. Too much calcium can cause developmental problems in young chicks. I would try to keep them out of the big girls feed for a few more weeks. Like the previous post said, about 18 weeks is ideal. Good Luck

 

[kathyinmo]

I started mine around 16 weeks, because I started getting eggs then. I know they are not all laying yet, but they do all get layer pellets now at 20 weeks.