layer?

[momofdrew]

Ok one of my 3 hens layed her first egg yesterday I have been feeding them grower pellets when should I switch to layer... the other 2 girls aren't old enough to lay yet should I just wait till they all start laying and what should I do for my rooster he doesnt need layer does he???

 

[digitS']

How 'bout just putting some oyster shell out for them? Are the other pullets quite a bit younger?

The one laying should be the only bird depleting her calcium reserves. Chickens are supposed to be very good at self-regulating their calcium intake if given the chance.

Steve

 

[gritsar]

If you other girls are within a couple of weeks of laying I'd go ahead and start them on the layer feed now. If not, keep em all on the grower and offer oyster shell for your layer.
The rooster can eat what the girls eat, even if it's layer feed.

 

[Anny]

I feed all my hens a grower feed but also offer shells in another container. The hens that need the shells eat them the ones that don't need them don't eat them. It works out nicely for me.

 

[momofdrew]

I do have oyster shell out there for them...she laid her second egg today and both shells were strong...one is from the same hatch... the other one is about a month younger...

 

[cmom]

I use starter/grower until I get my first egg then I switch the girls to layer. I personally use crumbles. I tried a small bag of pellets but they didn't seem to eat it to well, so I switched back to crumbles, but I started them on crumbles. I smashed up the pellets and mixed it with their crumbles. If I have any starter/grower left when they start laying, I mix it with the layer until it's gone. I haven't had any problems with my big girls laying. I personally use the medicated starter/grower. Amprolium, the medication in feed is sulfa based. Only a problem if you have alergies to sulfa or are super sensitive to sulfa drugs. I give them grit and crushed oyster shells in separate bowls as free choice.