Keeping chickens on grower feed vs. switching to layer?

[Bear4boo]

Our hens have been on Purina Starter/Grower feed (they are 20 weeks). One of ours started laying today and we have planned to switch to layer feed. I’ve been hearing, however, that some people think it’s best to stay with the grower feed long term and just add calcium (oyster shells). I would love to hear some thoughts on which is really best for the health of my chickens. We only have hens (no roosters so all-flock isn’t necessary). Thanks in advance.

 

[nuthatched]

You really can do either, layer is cheaper but it can overload your birds with too much calcium and has poor protein. Protein is very important since feathers, skin, muscle and eggs all need exceptional amounts of protein. But sometimes birds don't eat their oyster shell and get enough calcium. I've down 50/50 before.

 

[PopoMyers]

My Sapphire Gems started laying earlier than expected, at 16 weeks, and had many soft shelled eggs, even after I gave them oyster shell. Maybe they didn't know to eat them. I switched over all of them to layer feed, and the soft shells stopped.

 

[everyday_farmlife]

Our hens have been on Purina Starter/Grower feed (they are 20 weeks). One of ours started laying today and we have planned to switch to layer feed. I’ve been hearing, however, that some people think it’s best to stay with the grower feed long term and just add calcium (oyster shells). I would love to hear some thoughts on which is really best for the health of my chickens. We only have hens (no roosters so all-flock isn’t necessary). Thanks in advance.

Hey it could be different over there but just check there is no withholding period for eggs intended for human consumption. There is a 7 day WHP on eggs with our available grower feed

 

[everyday_farmlife]

Hey it could be different over there but just check there is no withholding period for eggs intended for human consumption. There is a 7 day WHP on eggs with our available grower feed

I also discovered today the protein is 15% in both the grower feed and layer that's available over here

 

[PopoMyers]

Where is over here and over there?

There is a 7 day WHP on eggs with our available grower feed

 

[Sussex19]

Hey it could be different over there but just check there is no withholding period for eggs intended for human consumption. There is a 7 day WHP on eggs with our available grower feed

There isn't with the stuff I use. https://thevellagroup.com.au/product/category/poultry-grower-starter/

 

[blutenstaub]

Hey it could be different over there but just check there is no withholding period for eggs intended for human consumption. There is a 7 day WHP on eggs with our available grower feed

Is it a medicated feed? Confused why else there would be a withholding period.

 

[everyday_farmlife]

I'm in

Where is over here and over there?

I'm in Aus lol and yes it is medicated . We live in a very small region we don't even get mail delivered, we have to go into town (which basically has a feed store, pub, newsagent/post office and bakery hence the lack of choice on feed)

 

[everyday_farmlife]

There isn't with the stuff I use. https://thevellagroup.com.au/product/category/poultry-grower-starter/

Hey the (younger bird) grower says unsuitable for egg production or is that your starter? I wish I could get that feed... joys of a small town