Layer Food

[chickluvr]

My chickens are 15 weeks this week. They have eaten half the bag of grower food and wondered if the next bag should be layer food? Should i buy another bag of grower too and mix it half and half to start? When do i start giving oyster shell? I know my chickens are too young to lay but have no idea about when to start giving them layer food. Do they seem to have a problem with it when you switch?

 

[Judy]

Most start either around 20 weeks or when they start laying. You can finish up the grower you have, though, just offer oyster shell on the side when they start laying. Sometimes they accept the change better if you mix them at first.

 

[kathyinmo]

What kind of chickens do you have? How long does the bag of feed last? I started mine on layer at 16 weeks, because I got an egg!
I offer oyster shell free choice. They won't eat it unless they need it. If you do get a soft eggshell, you can take some of the oyster shell "flour," and mix in with the feed. My first 2 eggs were soft shells (40 hens).