Not sure when I feed them layer food ??

[karlamaria]

Im not even sure how old my girls are. we bought one and I know he was a day or two old, but the others had to be more then a week old ( they were bigger then my RR.) I wish I could remember the date we got them, I believe the last week in March. that would make them 11 or 12 weeks old.( chicks were at least a week old) when do I start feeding them layer pellets? is it bad to start before there ready or wait until a certain time ?

 

[JulieNKC]

Once they start laying, switch them over.

 

[flowergirl60]

I started mine on layer pellets about 2months before she stared laying and she is just fine. She is laying everyday. I didi that b/c I had 2 gown hens and ran out of starter food. She is the prettiest of the 2. Very shiny feathers red comb and down right active.

 

[cmom]

This is what I do. Others may do it differently.

Starter crumbles up to 8 weeks.
or
Starter/Grower, until I get my first egg .
or
Grower Crumbles or pellets from 8 weeks until you get your first egg.

Layer from first egg on and free choice Oyster Shells. They will take what they want and need.

I use medicated Starter/Grower. I feed it to the birds until I get my first egg then I switch over to Layer. If I have any Starter/Grower or Grower left over when I get my first egg, I mix in the leftover feed with the Layer feed. I have never had any problems. The amprollium in the Starter or Starter/Grower helps in the chicks development in their resistance to cocci. It is sulfa based. There is only a problem eating the eggs layed by the birds that have had the medicated feed when they start to lay if you have any allergies to Sulfa.

 

[confusedturtle]

Was wondering the same thing, thank you for posting ***taking notes***

 

[karlamaria]

so not before they lay? isn't it backwards since you want them on calcium rich food before they lay so the eggs are strong? Will it be ok if I give it to them now, or is there something they will lack in there diet before they lay ?

 

[classicsredone]

Their kidneys have a hard time with the extra calcium if they aren't laying or very close to laying. You could put out free choice oyster shell if you're worried about it. They'll take what they need.

 

[Noymira]

Quote:
I had no idea this was why! I knew you shouldn't eat eggs from hens on medicated feed, but didn't know the specific drug. My husband is allergic to sulfa drugs, so that is very good to know.

 

[This_chicks_place]

My girls aren't laying yet, but my thought on the extra calcium is......think about the poor hen laying that first egg, it shouldn't be hard as a rock for her first time. Ouch!

 

[aggie9296]

Quote:
Actually, hard is better. If it's too soft and it breaks inside her, you both have a big problem!

I put my pullets on layer feed at 12 weeks and they started laying about a month later. I could not find any unmedicated starter or any grower at the time.

I don't know why roosters can eat layer feed and be OK. So I didn't think the extra calcium would hurt for the few weeks before they started laying.