Not laying yet, have I given layer feed too early!

[Emma9876]

I have 4 hens, 3 light sussex and one meant to be plymouth rock but she is black so some form of cross. The barred rock is 29 weeks and the light sussex are 26 weeks.

I have started giving them layer feed 3 weeks ago in preparation for the black hen to start laying (meant to be 21-24 weeks) but none are laying. I know it can be bad to give them layer too early and now I'm worried I have made a mistake and caused them harm. Am I being silly or should I switch back to grower?

In UK so temp drop and very wet lately. They also have free range of the garden and forage all day.

 

[GodLovesU]

I’m sure I’ve given mine layer feed too early but I don’t think it’s ever caused any problems.

 

[Squawkers]

I would go ahead and switch back to grower until they start laying, but I don’t think you have caused any damage

 

[Ladybluearm]

I was told by the feed store, giving layer pellets before 16 weeks old can cause kidney damage and even kill them. I started mine at 18 weeks. Just my opinion.

 

[Squawkers]

I was told by the feed store, giving layer pellets before 16 weeks old can cause kidney damage and even kill them. I started mine at 18 weeks. Just my opinion.

Yeah, it’s definitely better not to start too early. I don’t start feeding layer until they start laying.

 

[TooCheep]

I was told by the feed store, giving layer pellets before 16 weeks old can cause kidney damage and even kill them. I started mine at 18 weeks. Just my opinion.

Excessive calcium can indeed cause kidney and joint damage, but it is a slow, progressive thing, not instant damage. Switching to the "safer" alternative is the right solution if you find out you are on the wrong track.

Just to inform people who aren't aware of the alternative: There is another way to feed chickens that avoids the +/- extra calcium debate entirely. Layer feed sounds like the right option. It's for layers, right? Well, if you have a factory farm, aren't concerned about longer life/health and want to make it easy to feed thousands of laying hens, it makes things very simple. Start on grower, switch to layer and then cull when they start slowing egg production.

Backyard flock owners often have more complex issues. Having any males, young/aging females, molting, stopped laying for the winter or other conditions can make extra calcium a problem. Instead, when your young chickens are big enough to graduate from grower crumbles, you move them to all-flock pellets for the rest of their lives.

All-flock has higher protein (18%-22%) than layer (generally 16-18%), but has the lower calcium that non-layers need. Then you serve oyster shell (optional: +egg shell) on the side for those that need extra calcium for eggs. Layers will naturally be attracted to it while those who don't need the calcium may just nibble. The extra protein is good for general health and will help with regrowing feathers during molting season.

I started with grower/layer, but it became too complex after a couple of years when chickens were on different schedules for molts and especially when I added some new young pullets. I'll never go back.

PS: Another hint for newer chicken owners. Chickens don't like change. It is always best to avoid sudden changes in feed if possible. Mix their old/new feed for a few days to a week to make the transition easier.