My Hens Are Laying! Now what?

[ThatTeowonna]

My flock of 12 started laying today! I’m so excited. I got three eggs. A little small, but eggs none the less. Now what? Do I switch the entire flock to layer feed? The instructions (Dumor) say only feed layer feed to chicks that are laying. So far, only three are laying. What to do? Wait until more are laying or switch now? As info: I have 9 that are same breed and 3 different breeds. Also, they are 4 months almost to the day

 

[Geckolady]

You opened up a can of worms. When it comes to feeding chickens, 10 people will have 15 opinions. Since I have a rooster, I feed All Flock and oyster shell on the side for the girls. You could do the same.

 

[orloffer]

You can start providing crushed oyster shell on the side to them now, and if I were in your situation I would wait until most of them start laying before switching to layer feed.

 

[neo71665]

I don't ever feed layer. All flock with oyster shell on the side.

 

[Brooks_]

Now what?

Breakfast for dinner?

 

[ThatTeowonna]

You can start providing crushed oyster shell on the side to them now, and if I were in your situation I would wait until most of them start laying before switching to layer feed.

Great idea. I didn't think of that.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I like using some layer feed so I wait until 50% of the youngsters are laying before adding that to the equation.

I always have oyster shell available for the birds to take as needed.

 

[ThatTeowonna]

I like using some layer feed so I wait until 50% of the youngsters are laying before adding that to the equation.

I always have oyster shell available for the birds to take as needed.

I have tons of oyster shells at my house. I should have been doing that all along! I definitely will crush some up and put it out today.

 

[ThatTeowonna]

I like using some layer feed so I wait until 50% of the youngsters are laying before adding that to the equation.

I always have oyster shell available for the birds to take as needed.

@rosemarythyme : I put out oyster shells yesterday. My chicks were fighting over them. That let's me know they really need the calcium. How soon should I start seeing a difference in the eggs? I got another soft one this morning.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If lack of calcium is the only reason for soft/fragile shells, you should see results in about a week after adding oyster shell.