Layer feed for 12 week old pullets?

[Firstturkey]

I was wanting to move my pullets in with my layers, but was wondering if they are old enough for layer feed? Any help!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

12wks is a too young to start layer feed. You may want to switch everyone to an all flock or flock raiser feed. Offer oyster shell free choice for your layers, they will take what they need.

fwiw - I only feed Flock Raiser year round, this way I don't have to worry about age or sex of the flock. Chicks to adults can eat this no problems. Layer feed is for actively laying birds.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, hope you are enjoying BYC!

I'm gonna just second what the other poster said. I also feed flock raiser year round with oyster shell on the side. And it's because I often have multiple ages and genders in my flock, many of them who do not need the calcium... which if fed long term to those not in lay *can* (doesn't mean will) cause kidney issues.

Also, the diminished protein in layer could actually delay the onset of lay in your pullets.

My birds are also dual purpose which need a little more protein than light bodied layers like leghorns.

I personally would use a flock raiser, grower, unmedicated starter... whatever has the protein content you like (those are all just confusing terms used by different companies) and oyster shell on the side, at least short term and get those birds integrated.

You don't have to throw your layer away. Just put it up for a while or mix it in with the new bag so even if it isn't perfect it will be a little better than straight layer.

If the birds haven't already seen each other then you might need a look but don't touch set up for a while. My birds are usually integrated by 8 weeks. But we all have different situations and flocks and set up.

Best wishes!

 

[lazy gardener]

And, just to confuse the mix, I will say that I put my whole flock BACK onto layer any time after my chicks loose their peep and get their cluck. I understand the dire warnings about the extra calcium in layer feed causing renal failure. However, that is a "could cause" not a "will cause" statement.

After doing the homework, reading the studies, and looking at practical experience of myself and other flock keepers who take a more relaxed approach to the whole calcium/protein issue, I am comfortable with my approach. My flock is healthy, I have never seen anything that remotely resembles renal failure. My roos who are on layer feed much of their lives stay healthy. Free range results in flocks who consume a lot of calcium from the greens they eat. Free range flocks are often more healthy and more long lived (short of predation) than birds which are kept penned and on formulated feed.

@Firstturkey , the most important bit of advice I can give you, no matter when or if you choose to move your flock to layer feed is this: Keep mill date of your feed foremost in your consideration. After any grain has been milled, it rapidly starts to oxidize, and the nutrients quickly degrade. 6 weeks after mill, the nutrients are well on their way to becoming poor quality. So... if you've bought a bag of layer and won't be using it right away, I'd see if it could be returned.

 

[Firstturkey]

12wks is a too young to start layer feed. You may want to switch everyone to an all flock or flock raiser feed. Offer oyster shell free choice for your layers, they will take what they need.

fwiw - I only feed Flock Raiser year round, this way I don't have to worry about age or sex of the flock. Chicks to adults can eat this no problems. Layer feed is for actively laying birds.

Thanks!!!

 

[Firstturkey]

Hi, hope you are enjoying BYC!

I'm gonna just second what the other poster said. I also feed flock raiser year round with oyster shell on the side. And it's because I often have multiple ages and genders in my flock, many of them who do not need the calcium... which if fed long term to those not in lay *can* (doesn't mean will) cause kidney issues.

Also, the diminished protein in layer could actually delay the onset of lay in your pullets.

My birds are also dual purpose which need a little more protein than light bodied layers like leghorns.

I personally would use a flock raiser, grower, unmedicated starter... whatever has the protein content you like (those are all just confusing terms used by different companies) and oyster shell on the side, at least short term and get those birds integrated.

You don't have to throw your layer away. Just put it up for a while or mix it in with the new bag so even if it isn't perfect it will be a little better than straight layer.

If the birds haven't already seen each other then you might need a look but don't touch set up for a while. My birds are usually integrated by 8 weeks. But we all have different situations and flocks and set up.

Best wishes!

Thank you so much!

 

[Firstturkey]

And, just to confuse the mix, I will say that I put my whole flock BACK onto layer any time after my chicks loose their peep and get their cluck. I understand the dire warnings about the extra calcium in layer feed causing renal failure. However, that is a "could cause" not a "will cause" statement.

After doing the homework, reading the studies, and looking at practical experience of myself and other flock keepers who take a more relaxed approach to the whole calcium/protein issue, I am comfortable with my approach. My flock is healthy, I have never seen anything that remotely resembles renal failure. My roos who are on layer feed much of their lives stay healthy. Free range results in flocks who consume a lot of calcium from the greens they eat. Free range flocks are often more healthy and more long lived (short of predation) than birds which are kept penned and on formulated feed.

@Firstturkey , the most important bit of advice I can give you, no matter when or if you choose to move your flock to layer feed is this: Keep mill date of your feed foremost in your consideration. After any grain has been milled, it rapidly starts to oxidize, and the nutrients quickly degrade. 6 weeks after mill, the nutrients are well on their way to becoming poor quality. So... if you've bought a bag of layer and won't be using it right away, I'd see if it could be returned.

Thanks to you!