layer vs grower food

[debakadeb]

I purchased my chickens from TSC on April 11th. I assumed they were about 3-4 days old when I purchased them. That would put them at maybe 16 weeks of age. I figured they would start laying in about a month or so. Because of that, today I bought grower food.

I came home to an EGG. Talk about excited. So..a question for the experts. Can I go ahead and feed them the grower food and supplement it with oyster shell or do I need to go exchange the food for layer pellets?

The egg was a very nice shape with a hard shell. Very small but I feel like a brand new MOM.

 

[speckledhen]

You can keep them on grower and offer oyster shell free choice. When you run out, buy layer. Congrats!

 

[herbandteas]

I think you should go take it back and get the layer feed. Congratulations on becoming a new egg mom!

 

[debakadeb]

I think since only one chick is laying, I'll keep the grower for the rest and offer the oyster shell free choice. Thank you both for your reply.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Congrats on the egg!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I also would keep them on the grower til everyone is laying then switch over to layer.......Congrats on that first egg!!

 

[annrich]

congrats.. I would use up the grower then switch to layer

 

[Chickenaddict]

I may be wrong for doing it this way but i have always mixed flock raiser with layer crumble along with scratch grains when they are about 18 weeks or older. I have never had a problem with egg production or weak shells. I never offer oyster shells i bought it once and they never ate it. I have had some of my birds for over a year and never had any issues with nutrition or egg problems. All my birds are healthy and happy. Congrats on the egg too

!

 

[debakadeb]

I think mine are at best 17 weeks old but I think more like 16. I know that they were babies when I got them on April 11th. They could have been one week old. I got them the same day that TSC got them into the store. Because 4 of the 5 are sex links, that is probably why one is laying so early. So far, the 2 eggs I've gotten have had very strong shells. Can't wait for each day to see what I'm going to find

 

[Chickenaddict]

Best of luck to you and your new laying hens

i just got my first egg from one of my girls who hatched on 3-17 of this year

i just love those pleasant surprises when you go out to collect the eggs