Is feeding Layer pellets to 17 week olds ok ?

[kmacinnis]

I have two Silverlace Wyandottes and two Easter eggers and at 15 weeks I changed to layer feed based on advice I received from someone. After reading a few threads I'm seeing some conflicting reports whether I should actually be feeding them layer feed until they actually begin to lay. My girls are now 17 weeks (not laying yet) but I'm wondering if I should be switching back ?

I'm also curious as to when I should offer crushed oyster ?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The oyster shell is not needed until a bird is laying, so that is the point at which you need to offer it. If you are going to feed layer ration, the calcium content in it is meant to be sufficient to support shelling/expelling eggs without supplemental calcium (oyster shell) - not saying it hurts to offer it anyway, just that it is not as necessary as it is if you opt to run your flock without layer feed at all. At this point, I wouldn't muck around with switching back *if* your intent is to feed layer ration at 18 weeks -- if, though, you are going to wait until they start to lay you could be looking at another 4-10 weeks so it would be worth it, imo, to go ahead and go back to grower ration until they are all laying and switch to layer then if you want.

 

[kmacinnis]

Thanks ... If it is more beneficial to go back to grower than I'll make the change back until all are laying .

 

[logan446]

Is it bad if my younger hens ate the older laying hens layer feed?

 

[tdepointe]

Logan446, It is not bad if your younger hens ate the layer feed. The issue is they do not get the protein levels in the grower feed and will grow slower.

When I have a mixed age flock, laying and young, I feed grower and add oyster rations for the layers.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Logan446, It is not bad if your younger hens ate the layer feed. The issue is they do not get the protein levels in the grower feed and will grow slower.

When I have a mixed age flock, laying and young, I feed grower and add oyster rations for the layers.

In addition to the lower protein, the true concern specific to layer ration in young birds is the damaging levels of calcium content in layer ration -- any bird not actively laying has no outlet for the excessive calcium and there are multiple health concerns related to that.

 

[kmacinnis]

I made the switch back today !!