Is it too soon to switch to layer feed?

[Thepriceofbeauty]

Hey guys! I've got 4 ladies that are roughly 15-16 weeks old. Their combs have started to redden and I noticed a few days ago, my sapphire gem started squatting!!

Today I cleaned out the coop and opened up their nesting boxes and threw some ceramic eggs in there. I just know I'll see an egg in the next week or two.

I have maybe a few days left, from a bag of Nutrena 18% crumble grower. I just replaced it with 16% pellet layer feed. I realize I may have jumped the gun on that. Is it too early to switch everyone over? Or should I bite the bullet and go back to the store and get more of the grower, until they are all laying?

I also put a dish with Oyster shells in the run. Will it harm the birds NOT laying, if they have free access to it?

Oof. I'm getting so excited for eggs over here I forgot how to chicken.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I generally keep them on a grower. Switching too soon can slow down growth on those not laying yet. I also prefer to keep mine on an 18% ration, most layers are 16%. I just put out a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You may have jumped the the gun. Since you already bought it, I would mix it half and half with your old feed. When in doubt, read the feeding instructions on the chart on the back of the feed bag. The feed mill is the one that knows what is in the bag.
Reddening combs and wattles is a sign of reaching sexual maturity.
To be sure, pick up a pullet and check the distance between the two pointy pelvic bones. If it is over two finger width distance, laying is imminent. If it is less, laying will be delayed.
Commercial egg farms usually switch to a pre-lay diet of about 2.5% calcium at around 16 weeks. That allows the pullet to build up more calcium in the medullary bone while limiting potential kidney damage from elevated calcium content. They also control day length with black out housing so the pullets all mature sexually at roughly the same time.
Since you are already providing OS in a separate container, it may not hurt if you can buy a smaller bag of grower, to mix it with layer for a while.