Mixed age flock - about to come to egg laying age, what to feed them?

[thistlewick]

I'm going to have 5 hens coming into laying first -- they are only 14 weeks old now, but will be laying soon.


When they the oldest 5 hens are 18 weeks, I will have 3 hens at 17 weeks and 4 hens at 16 weeks.

Is it okay to switch to all flock feed (we have a rooster) for all the birds at 18 weeks for the oldest girls? They are still on starter/grower crumble right now (as well as on grass/bugs to their hearts content).

When should I put out oyster? When should I put bedding in the nesting boxes? When should I put the little fake ceramic eggs in the boxes so they know where to lay?

I'm excited that I'm getting close but I like to be prepared. Any help and advice is warmly appreciated!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Most starter/grower and all flock feed are the same. I feed Kalmback 20% all flock to all ages with Oyster shells offered in a side dish. It's out even when I have tweens. They're curious about it, but they don't really go to town on it until thier bodies tell them to. You can put fake eggs in boxes soon, it's a wide range of ages they could start laying at. HAVE FUN!

 

[thistlewick]

Oh, so keeping them on starter/grower isn't a bad thing? They do love it. They are hungry little chonkers man, they browse all day on grass but still chow down on the feed too lol

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Yeah they're good, you can use up what you have and then switch to All Flock.