Looking for feeding advice

[Chickmama672]

I have ten, 15 week old red sex link pullets (ISA Browns and Golden Comets). None are laying just yet but I do recognize some of the telltale signs that it may be imminent. Here's my dilemma..I am *almost* out of my most recent 50 lb bag of grower/starter. Any thoughts on whether I should just bite the bullet and buy another bag of grower or if it would be okay to graduate them to layer pellets in anticipation of their laying?

 

[DobieLover]

I have ten, 15 week old red sex link pullets (ISA Browns and Golden Comets). None are laying just yet but I do recognize some of the telltale signs that it may be imminent. Here's my dilemma..I am *almost* out of my most recent 50 lb bag of grower/starter. Any thoughts on whether I should just bite the bullet and buy another bag of grower or if it would be okay to graduate them to layer pellets in anticipation of their laying?

I would go back a step and put them on starter. And now would be the time to put out a couple of containers of oyster shell for them. Done. For life.
What will you do when they stop laying for winter molt? Or if you introduce chicks/pullets again? Or (heaven forbid) get a cockerel/rooster? None of these birds should have the calcium level contained in layer feed. And I've yet to find a layer feed that offers 18-20% protein.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You could probably go either way at this point. Hybrids do tend to start laying earlier than other breeds, but at the same time you don't NEED to switch to layer, you could continue with grower (or starter or all flock) and supplement oyster shell on the side.

 

[Peppercorngal]

If you can find "All Flock Feed" that would be the thing to go with at this point. It's lower in calcium and higher in protein. Roosters, baby chicks, everyone can eat this feed. My whole flock from one month old chicks to the old rooster eats this feed! I get pellets, it's less wasteful and the pellets are small, not like layer feed pellets.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have ten, 15 week old red sex link pullets (ISA Browns and Golden Comets).

My first Flock (5 Golden Comets) started to lay at 16.5 weeks, all were laying by 19 weeks. A tough call.
From what I've read it's Ok to start a layers feed 2 weeks before laying begins. So that would be 17 weeks old for the last to lay in my first Flock.
I would buy a 25 lb bag of Start and Grow before switching to a Layers feed.
However offer them a container of Oyster Shells now.

I feed my hens (22 months old) a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower feed 18% with Oyster Shells separately.
My Golden Comets started to feather pick when I switched to a Layers feed 16%.
It took 3 weeks of wearing pinless peepers and switching back to a 18% Protein feed.
I currently have 5 ISA Browns 10 weeks old).

They are currently eating a Medicated Start and Grow 18%. When bag is empty they will get a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower or a All-Flock feed 18 to 20% Protein.

If you want to switch to a Layers feed, I would get one with 18% Protein.
Two are available at my local TSC. . .
The Feather Fixer has as much calcium as a Layer feed and can be fed year round, says so on the bag. I've fed both feeds to my Golden Comets without feather picking. GC