Need Some Quick Help!

[SavyNic]

Hey yall! So this is our first flock and they’re all about 22 weeks old. No one has laid an egg yet, so it’s safe to say we’re getting impatiently excited! One of our EE’s actually squatted last night so I know we’re getting close! I have a couple questions for yall though. I heard before that you don’t feed crushed oyster or eggshell until they start laying... so if one starts laying but the others aren’t, do I start offering it yet? Or should I wait until more are laying? Same goes for the food... we’re still giving grower/finisher feed, so are we going to have to switch it out for layer feed, and is it bad for the others who aren’t laying yet? I also keep putting grit out in a little feeder, but they keep knocking it over and it’s spilled all over their run. Are they still getting it, or should I find a different container solution that they can’t dump? And lastly, we bought some ceramic eggs to teach them to lay in the nesting boxes. Should we put those in before or after they start laying? Thanks so much! Just want to make sure they all have what they need

 

[CHlCKEN]

Hey yall! So this is our first flock and they’re all about 22 weeks old. No one has laid an egg yet, so it’s safe to say we’re getting impatiently excited! One of our EE’s actually squatted last night so I know we’re getting close! I have a couple questions for yall though. I heard before that you don’t feed crushed oyster or eggshell until they start laying... so if one starts laying but the others aren’t, do I start offering it yet? Or should I wait until more are laying? Same goes for the food... we’re still giving grower/finisher feed, so are we going to have to switch it out for layer feed, and is it bad for the others who aren’t laying yet? I also keep putting grit out in a little feeder, but they keep knocking it over and it’s spilled all over their run. Are they still getting it, or should I find a different container solution that they can’t dump? And lastly, we bought some ceramic eggs to teach them to lay in the nesting boxes. Should we put those in before or after they start laying? Thanks so much! Just want to make sure they all have what they need

I believe that their bodies need the calcium right when they’re of egg laying age, so if you see one squatting and find an egg the next day, I’d say start offering the oyster and crushed egg shell. Put the ceramic eggs in now or else your girls will find a better spot to lay than the nest boxes. If a hen sees an egg somewhere she will want to lay there to! Change the container for the grit, they really don’t need it until you start giving them pellets and letting them graze and eat bugs. I would switch the food as soon as you see the first egg, use one with lots of calcium benefits so you can spend less on spilled oyster shell.

 

[Sequel]

Many of us don’t use layer food at all. We use an all flock type feed and offer oyster shell on the side. They won’t eat the shells unless they need them. The all flock feeds tend to be a little higher in protein which many of us feel is better for our hens, especially dual purpose breeds with heavier bodies.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I don't feed a layers feed either. I feed a Starter-Grower 18% or a All-Flock crumble 20% after 10 weeks of age.
I offer Oyster Shells in a separate container after 15 weeks.

Granite Grit helps to digest any any grass, weeds, seeds, whole grains, pine shavings, hay and bugs that fly into their pen, or while free ranging.
I keep both Shells and Grit in separate containers.

I mount them in a corner with an eye screw through the hole where the handle was. Chickens can't tip over. .
Myself before switching to a Layers feed I would wait till one of each breed laid an egg, because it can vary greatly between breeds/types. GC
ETA; I drilled 3/32" holes in bottom of pails to drain moisture.

 

[SavyNic]

I believe that their bodies need the calcium right when they’re of egg laying age, so if you see one squatting and find an egg the next day, I’d say start offering the oyster and crushed egg shell. Put the ceramic eggs in now or else your girls will find a better spot to lay than the nest boxes. If a hen sees an egg somewhere she will want to lay there to! Change the container for the grit, they really don’t need it until you start giving them pellets and letting them graze and eat bugs. I would switch the food as soon as you see the first egg, use one with lots of calcium benefits so you can spend less on spilled oyster shell.

Okay thank you so much!!! How much calcium do you consider a lot? We’ve been buying tractor supply’s brand DuMor and I know the laying food is 16% protein.

 

[SavyNic]

Many of us don’t use layer food at all. We use an all flock type feed and offer oyster shell on the side. They won’t eat the shells unless they need them. The all flock feeds tend to be a little higher in protein which many of us feel is better for our hens, especially dual purpose breeds with heavier bodies.

Oh interesting, I didn’t even know that was an option... newbie here! Can you find all flock feed at Tractor Supply?

 

[SavyNic]

I don't feed a layers feed either. I feed a Starter-Grower 18% or a All-Flock crumble 20% after 10 weeks of age.
I offer Oyster Shells in a separate container after 15 weeks.

Granite Grit helps to digest any any grass, weeds, seeds, whole grains, pine shavings, hay and bugs that fly into their pen, or while free ranging.
I keep both Shells and Grit in separate containers.View attachment 2253904
I mount them in a corner with an eye screw through the hole where the handle was. Chickens can't tip over.View attachment 2253931.
Myself before switching to a Layers feed I would wait till one of each breed laid an egg, because it can vary greatly between breeds/types. GC
ETA; I drilled 3/32" holes in bottom of pails to drain moisture.

That was very helpful! Thank you. I’m thinking I should just look in to the all-flock crumbles... seems to be popular!

 

[Sequel]

Oh interesting, I didn’t even know that was an option... newbie here! Can you find all flock feed at Tractor Supply?

I’m sure they carry some type of allflock. I don’t go to Tractor Supply so not sure of their brands. I used Nutrena All Flock for years but I’ve been going to a closer feed store. I just got a bag of Purina flock raiser. I think it’s 20% protein. Different brands call them different things. Payback calls theirs all purpose poultry. Good luck!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I heard before that you don’t feed crushed oyster or eggshell until they start laying... so if one starts laying but the others aren’t, do I start offering it yet? Or should I wait until more are laying? Same goes for the food... we’re still giving grower/finisher feed, so are we going to have to switch it out for layer feed, and is it bad for the others who aren’t laying yet? I also keep putting grit out in a little feeder, but they keep knocking it over and it’s spilled all over their run. Are they still getting it, or should I find a different container solution that they can’t dump? And lastly, we bought some ceramic eggs to teach them to lay in the nesting boxes. Should we put those in before or after they start laying?

You can start offering calcium on the side if you want, and let the birds decide if they want it.

With grit (and oyster shell) I hang cups against the wall so the birds don't knock it over.

Fake eggs can go in now, it's a good idea to encourage the birds to explore the nests before onset of laying.

Oh interesting, I didn’t even know that was an option... newbie here! Can you find all flock feed at Tractor Supply?

It can go by different names: all flock, flock raiser, hatch to hen (which is what I use). Some "grower" is often very similar in nutritional content and can be used as an "all flock" as well. Basically you're looking for something lower in calcium, around 1%, and a little higher in protein, like 17-20%.