Layer feed even if they don't lay?

[Pox]

Hi all, I have 2 barred rocks, 14 weeks old, on chick starter. Winter is right around the corner and I am wondering if I should keep them on starter (scratch as a treat) until they lay eggs, which may not be until spring?
Or should I start mixing in layer at a certain age? My feed store only carries chick starter and layer pellets.

Thanks!

 

[ginasmarans]

I start mixing layer feed with the grower at about 4 months of age. I gradually increase the amount of layer and at the same time decrease the amount of grower until at around 20 weeks,they are on straight layer. I continue feeding layer year round for adult birds,regardless of the season. I don't think drastic changes in feeds is good for them.

 

[tvtaber]

is the chick starter medicated?

 

[greyfields]

Definitely start transitioning them now a bit at a time. Ideally, you would have stopped the starter at the 2-3 month mark and lowered the protein to a "pullet developer" level.

 

[Pox]

Thanks all! Btw, they were on non-medicated chick starter, I'll start mixing in small amounts of layer pellets at the end of the month.