Minnesota!

[Rhetts]

Nice pic Holm!

So I was just researching on BYC when to switch to layer feed. There are many threads but something I read a few places is if you feed your laying hens grower feed it will make the eggs poisonous. That can't possibly be true is it???!!! I have a mixed flock of various breeds but the ages are 1 week apart at 17/16 weeks. It looks as if a handful of them are coming into laying soon while others are light years away. I was trying to figure out if I should feed everyone layer or keep them on grower until most of the hens are laying. Free choice oyster shell will be available either way. What are the thoughts on switching to layer feed?

 

[holm25]

Obly if the stuff is medicated. I ate eggs from our first 2 girls while the others were babies and I was fine. But they went to layer the second all the meaties were gone.

 

[Rhetts]

Only if the stuff is medicated. I ate eggs from our first 2 girls while the others were babies and I was fine. But they went to layer the second all the meaties were gone.

So if I am using a non medicated grower everything is fine? I can continue with the grower until more hens are laying?

 

[holm25]

So if I am using a non medicated grower everything is fine?  I can continue with the grower until more hens are laying?

U could... BUT I would switch to layer. Just to be safe. Is the grower non-medicated??

 

[nordicacres]

We lost another bird today. A big BR cockerel (one of the largest). He was fine last night and down today. Rather than try to figure out how to treat we just butchered him. I'm pretty sure he had some sort of respiratory issue (maybe the turkey did, too). He was a little wheezy and had a little bit of gunk coming out of his nostrils. In the future what is the best way to treat a respiratory issue?

 

[Rhetts]

U could... BUT I would switch to layer. Just to be safe. Is the grower non-medicated

Yes, the grower is non medicated. Well, I am pretty sure it is. I buy organic and didn't think that it could be medicated. It should say on the feed bag if it is medicated right? Now I will double check.

We lost another bird today. A big BR cockerel (one of the largest). He was fine last night and down today. Rather than try to figure out how to treat we just butchered him. I'm pretty sure he had some sort of respiratory issue (maybe the turkey did, too). He was a little wheezy and had a little bit of gunk coming out of his nostrils. In the future what is the best way to treat a respiratory issue?

I didn't realize you lost someone already and now this one? Too bad! There are a zillion threads here on BYC about respiratory illnesses. I had something last winter we dealt with and I spent SO MUCH time reading and reading and reading. I don't feel like I know exactly what to do regardless. I hope some of the veteran chicken keepers here have some advice.

 

[holm25]

Sorry for your losses Nordic!!!


Rhetts if it organic I dont think it can be medicated.

 

[holm25]

We're in a tornadoe watch.

 

[nordicacres]

We just lost one turkey poult and now the BR cockerel. Everyone looks and acts alright . . . until they don't. Researching respiratory illness is on my To Do list. Unfortunately no time to do it now. When it rains it pours. We've also got a wasp problem in the area where we keep the new chicks and I'm trying to figure out how to kill the dang wasps without killing the cute babies. Too many things to do.

 

[Cluckies]

I use grower or gamebird feed and have oyster shell available. I did switch to layer to try and fix an issue with rubber eggs in one chicken, it didn't work, so, i'm back on gamebird feed. eggs are fine. i'd stay on the grower feed and offer oyster shell on the side for the hens that are laying, it should be fine. non-medicated of course. many people stay on grower or "all-flock" or gamebird feed no matter if they are laying or not as long as oyster shell is offered free choice. If you have a mixed flock with a rooster or two, you do not want to be on layer feed anyways as it is not good for the roosters (or non laying hens).