layer feed?

[chickenmaster10]

Should I have my chickens on layer feed before or after they start laying? If I have to do it before they start laying, atwhat age?

 

[aquagolda]

on my bag of chick food it says you have your chicks on medicated then switch when they are 18 weeks old

 

[chickenmaster10]

Thank you auquagolda!!!!!

 

[aquagolda]

no thank you!! I am glad to be a help to anyone!

-aqua

 

[Chris09]

If your going to feed a layer feed you start feeding it when hens start to lay.


Quote: Buckeye Nutrition
I know that there are a few feed manufactures that give a set age when to start feeding a layer feed but not all hens don't mature at the same age.
It is far better to start a laying feed when you get your first egg, that way you don't feed a high calcium feed to a hen that doesn't need it yet.

 

[rc4u]

my opinion is to start layer feed couple weeks before you think they are goona lay, like when combs turn very red and start to lay over and when they start walking little different from pelvis widening, squating ect....then i think you dont get the first eggs with bad shells ect...jeff

 

[cafarmgirl]

I don't get too caught up in timing to be honest. When it's obvious my birds are getting close to laying, they have nice red combs/faces, squatting etc. then I start making the switch to layer as I get to the end of the bag of starter I'm on. It's never at a specific or exact age. By the time they are at point of lay I'm really not worried about them getting layer feed or starter feed for a couple weeks before or after that first egg.

 

[The Yakima Kid]

I start feeding it when the first egg is laid. Too much calcium can destroy young pullet's kidneys if fed before they are in lay.

This is another reason that I prefer to have a flock all of the same breed - they come into lay at around the same time. Keeping more than one breed or strain can lead to literally weeks elapsing before some start to lay.

 

[rc4u]

when they are close to laying there is no to much calcium....only in young pullets can that be a problem..and the amount in layer feed again they would have to eat a lot of it to even be a problem...really dnt worry abot itif there after 17 weeks or so its alright...jeff

 

[Chris09]

when they are close to laying there is no to much calcium....only in young pullets can that be a problem..and the amount in layer feed again they would have to eat a lot of it to even be a problem...really dnt worry abot itif there after 17 weeks or so its alright...jeff

Actually high amounts of calcium can be a problem in ANY non-laying fowl including non-laying hens and pullet not laying.
Even the egg industry sees this and use a pre-layer feed that has a lower calcium amount than a typical layer feed.