⠀ Layer Feed before laying

[jesse555]

I recently added two new birds to my small flock. They are 16 weeks and 20 weeks old respectively and have not begun laying yet. I only have Purina Layer pellets that I use for my older birds. Is it okay to feed the young ones this feed? I'm assuming they be laying in about 1-2 months. Thanks.

 

[quckers]

I recently added two new birds to my small flock.  They are 16 weeks and 20 weeks old respectively and have not begun laying yet.  I only have Purina Layer pellets that I use for my older birds.  Is it okay to feed the young ones this feed?  I'm assuming they be laying in about 1-2 months.   Thanks.

I have a similar problem, with my ducks, add in a couple of drakes too. I was told to feed All Flock feed and put out crushed egg shell/oyster shell

 

[P-Dog]

Same question! Mine are four months old and should start laying any day now. I'm nearly out of my starter feed and would like to switch to layer...is it too soon?

 

[valdezsquaw]

Same question.

 

[fernie915]

I too have tje same question about feeding pullets layer feed...mine are about 4 months old as well but from what ive been reading,its good to start them them on layer feed after the first egg they lay...ill stay on the safe side and rather wait for than do any harm...it wont be too long o hope.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It's best to wait till they start laying before providing a feed that is 4% calcium.
Commercial farms may start a pre-lay ration at 16 weeks but they're using a specialized lighting program and can predict when their egg hybrid pullets will start laying. They can still lose birds to urolithiasis but they have 100s of thousands so they don't care.
Most backyard and small holder poultry keepers can't predict when that will happen, especially at this time of year with decreasing day length.
A 16 week old bird in September may start laying in a month or two or may not start laying till after the winter solstice.

http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/content/64/12/2300.abstract
http://www.worldpoultry.net/Breeder...-damage-is-emerging-in-laying-hens-WP008719W/
http://www.hyline.com/aspx/redbook/redbook.aspx?s=5&p=36

best technique is to feed an all flock or grower feed when all birds aren't building shells and provide oyster shell in a separate container for those already laying.

 

[DrPatrickBiggs]

It is always best to wait to feed a layer feed until at least 18 weeks of age or the first egg. The high levels of calcium in a layer feed are not suitable for younger birds. And certainly not suitable for starting birds. As birds get older, the risk to the health of the bird by feeding a layer feed decreases. As a genera rule, we recommend waiting until 18 weeks because at this time research has shown feeding a layer feed is suitable, even if the birds are not laying.

 

[Club cramahe coop]

Just to keep beating this to death lol. We have 11 pullets that are 25 weeks old. One girl started laying 10 days ago and has been a real trooper . She has pumped out 8 eggs. We have had one other put out two in the last 8 days but they were day one and three , nothing in the last 5 days. It was a tiny egg so we are thinking our one silkie girl. Today we got an egg that we think is from a third girl. It’s slightly lighter and longer than the ones we have been getting. I am about to go away for a week ( have a sitter lined up ) and am out of grower feed and have a back of layer ready. Seeing as they are 25 weeks old and we have three layers, can I go ahead and switch them all now?