Just got our first egg....hens are 16 weeks old....time for laying feed?

[countrycakelady]

I was not expecting to see eggs for at least a few more weeks...I need to get layer feed right? Anything else? I was shocked to find this one today!

 

[Ridgerunner]

If they are laying, they need extra calcium for the egg shell. That’s all they really need, extra calcium.

There are different ways to do that. You could switch to Layer or you could keep feeding what you are and offer oyster shell on the side until that bag runs out. They seem to instinctively know which ones need the oyster shell and which ones don’t. Or just keep feeding the same stuff and always offer oyster shell on the side. That’s what I do but I almost always have young chicks in with the flock.

Another way is to switch to Layer and also offer oyster shell on the side. If all they eat is Layer, they should get enough calcium from that. But if they eat much stuff like treats other than Layer, they could come up a little short.

 

[countrycakelady]

Thank you so much Ridgerunner for your help! The people on this board are so very helpful to a newbie like me....I am getting a great education in chicken raising!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Spot on advice. As usual.

 

[CindyMichelle3]

Just curious.. What breed of chicken do you have? My Black Sex Link has got me thinking she's not far off but she's pretty young at 14 weeks

 

[locoguru]

Congrats on the egg! My RSL are 19 weeks and there was one of them in the nesting this morning when my wife opened it, but no eggs yet.

 

[countrycakelady]

CindyMichelle3, she's a Red Sex Link hen.....better be ready!