Layer feed BEFORE or AFTER they start laying???

[SandyRiverChick]

My 3 - 20week old RIR's are about to lay, they have all of the signs that I've read about on BYC. I am almost out of grower feed and have a nice big bag of layer.... Is it okay? They also eat bugs, weeds, whatever our land privides to them via a few hours of late afternoon, daily ranging.....

Also - I have 3 - 17 week old RIR's - that's the flock, the 6 of them so they all get the same feed. If it's ok for the older girls to get layer feed now, is it also ok for the younger ones or should I stick with grower for all of them (I'm not going to seperate them)? Advice appreciated!!

pic just for fun - sun napping....

 

[RendonRoo]

At that age they are about ready to start laying. If you need to buy feed you can go ahead and start them on layer. If you still have plenty of grower feed you can continue to feed it and offer oyster shell on the side. They will eat the oyster shell as needed. Even after i start them on layer i still offer oyster shell free choice. Good Luck