Moving off chick starter

[ashyndin]

My ladies are getting pretty big and i was told they would be laying age in about 4 more weeks. i am still feeding chick starter and i am sure i shouldn't be. Do i move straight to a lying mix or is there an intermediate food that i should be putting down?

 

[Megaputz]

I was told to give them starter until they started laying. If they are close to laying age why not introduce the girls to laying pellets/mesh/crumbles but keep feedng starter till you see an egg. They'll get their starter and the nutrients they need from the layer feed for egg production.

My hens seem to prefer starter feed... It's a nice treat for them and it's adorable to see them waddle across the yard when they see me pull in expecting a treat.

I do wonder and worry about it myself. Is it bad that I feed my two hens a couple of handfuls of starter a day. They are free range during the warmer months so they can find a nice balanced diet. Then I think of how long chickens have been around... as long as they have food available and it has what a majority of what they need I guess they'll do fine.

 

[Going Quackers]

Depends, exactly what are they on right now? ie, protein level etc.. i never fed mine layer till AFTER they laid.. ages for first lay vary, yes, there are ranges but there just that ranges.

To be perfectly honest mine were still on a multipurpose feed that they had been fed since i got them till almost a week ago lol they are 1 yo next month, i am just now mixing a layer ration into it.

I just opted to give free choice oyster shell instead. Both the multi purpose feed they were on and the layer that they are transitioning too are 18% protein and a crumb.

Now i should add there are growers but unless the feed you were on was excessive in protein, like 20% or more i wouldn't probably go that route if your planning on using a layer feed. How old are the ladies??

 

[Fred's Hens]

Follow the feed protocol of your chosen feed company. If in doubt, just follow their schedule. It's called a Feed Chart and all feed companies publish this on their website and many, like Purina, print it right on the bag.

It gives the options and plans on how to feed what and at what age. Of course, a feed company like Purina gives their products. Fair enough.

If in doubt, or you are new to all this, trust the feed chart of the company you are using. It's that simple. Kinda like that old cliche' "when in doubt, read and follow all directions".

http://poultry.purinamills.com/OURPRODUCTS/FeedingChart/default.aspx