Is it too early to start layer feed?

[PunkinPeep]

My buff orpington pullets are 15 weeks old today, and the feed sack of chick start is getting low. I think it might last another two weeks. From what i've read, orpingtons usually start laying around 23 weeks?
Can i go ahead and start them on the layer feed at 17 weeks? Or do i need to try to buy a smaller bag of feed just to get me through another month?

I have only three, and they free range most of the time, so i don't use much feed at all.

Any advice is very appreciated.

 

[Up-the-Creek]

I would not put them on layer until they start laying.

 

[lunkerchicken]

I agree with Up The Creek, don't start the layer feed until they start laying. Are you still giving them chick starter or have you introduced grower feed? I started my chicks on grower feed at 6 weeks and plan to continue with that until they start laying. Good luck.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I agree...wait until you see that first egg. Right now at 16 weeks they should be on a grower of some sort. How many hens do you have? Are you buying the large 50 # bags or can you buy a smaller bag of the grower until they start laying? They are too old to be on the chick starter now so I wouldn't buy any more of that if I were you.

 

[emvickrey]

I mix my layer feed with scratch grains. I also have 10 4 month olds with layers and I feed them al the same thing. They are growing and very healthy. They have very nice shiny feathers and no poop problems. I don't know if they eat the layer feed or not but they have other options. I also once a week add about a 1/2 cup of oyster shell to the feed. They get people food several times a week too.

 

[bettisworth]

According to Purinas official website, they have a short video you can watch. They recommend switching them about a month before they start laying. I personally would not worry about feeding them layer at this age. My buff's are about 3 1/2 months old...I have 150 lbs. of grower left. It will be gone by the weekend. Mine will go on layer.

I'd say if it was going to hurt them or kill them they would have a great big skull and crossbones on the bag.

I wonder how chickens have survived all these millenia, with out college degrees telling them what to eat and not eat...I have to make a wise crack, I see animal lovers who watch their chickens diets more than their own!!! I personally love Hostess cup cakes!! And Ho-Ho's

In the layer, the protein is a bit different, and some added calcium.

If you're afraid the calcium will hurt them....then you need to lay off the milk!!! LOL

I am not a veterinarian, but currently feed over 200 screaming mouths everday, and have never seen an animal die from being well fed.

 

[Judy]

At 15 weeks, I would switch to layer, and I would mix it with the grower to get them accustomed to the new feed. The calcium in layer can harm new chicks, I have read, but I think at 15 weeks they are past that stage.

 

[PunkinPeep]

I have just three chickens.

We bought the 50 pound bag of chick starter.

I'm very surprised by a lot of your answers. When i started looking into how to feed them a couple of months ago, i found the consensus to be to feed them chick starter until they are "laying age."

No one ever even mentioned grower feed to me. I think i'm too late for that.

My girls are very healthy and very large. So i feel like they're o.k.

Thanks all for the great advice!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Well it obviously didn't harm them

If you only have the few then it doesn't even pay to spend money on a 50 # bag of grower just to have to switch them to layer in a few weeks anyhow. If you had a dozen or so I would say go through one bag of grower but I can't see them going through a bag in a few weeks. If you do put them on layer update here later to let us know how it goes. It's always interesting seeing different ways to do things and what happens if you do them that way.
I find it very weird that no one mentioned grower to you

When I asked last year everyone told me to use grower inbetween the starter and the layer. Maybe you had all newbies answering your post. I'm sure they will be just fine though, sounds like you take real good care of them

Good luck and keep us informed on how they do.

 

[Judy]

Around here, I can only get a combined feed, called starter/grower. Yes, the usual recommendation is, starter til around 8 weeks, then grower til POL, then layer. Different for meat birds, I gather. I have never raised Cornish X so don't know about that.

These feeds vary between brands. Some are all vegetable, which I don't like, because chickens are omnivores, but our starter/grower has animal protein in it. Just as an example. The protein percentages also vary. I have read on here that layer feed at 15% protein may be a little light and should really be 16% protein, for example.

If you really want to get into it, read up on the lionsfeed site: http://www.lionsgrip.com/chickens.html

I just try to make sure they get enough protein and that the chicks don't get too much calcium.