Ok to feed layer feed a bit earlier than recommened?

[FowlLove]

I understand that 16 weeks is the normal time to start chicks on layer feed, but would it be a problem if I switched at 13 weeks? Or is this potentially harmful? Thank you!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Good question, I need to know this too.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Generally 18 weeks or onset of production IF you use layer at all (many of us, myself included, do not). So 13 is considerably early....*i* wouldnt, but to each their own.....

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Why the desire to switch early.....running out of feed or integrating with adult flock or?

 

[Criticalicious]

If it's to integrate with an adult flock, it's easier to switch everyone to grower/all flock until newbies start laying. Provide oyster shell on the side for the layers to get enough calcium. Whoever needs it will eat what they need.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I wouldn't.
I don't use Layers feed now, but with my first Flock of Golden Comets, I switched when their combs and wattles were red and swollen, they squatted when I put my hand over them. That was around 15 weeks. I started to switch at 16 weeks by mixing Layers feed with the Start & Grow 50/50 for 2 weeks. They started to lay at 16.5 weeks and all were laying at 19 weeks.
My recent Flock of Barred Rocks didn't Start laying till 20 weeks.
I would just feed everyone the Starter Grower feed till the Pullets are showing signs of point of lay. Offer Oyster Shells for the Hens. At least wait till 16 weeks. That's the earliest Nutrina Starter Grower tag recommends for Laying Breeds

GC

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It isn't OK. That's why feed manufacturers put the instructions on the bag. Most people don't educate themselves on the nutrient requirements so hopefully they follow the instructions on the bag.
Giving a feed that is 4% calcium to a bird that isn't using that excess to build egg shells can be problematic. For 13 week old pullets it can be deadly.
One of the kidney's jobs is to regulate body chemistry. When more calcium is in the system than the body needs, the kidneys must excrete it. Excess calcium causes urolithiasis and eventually gout. Chickens have 2 kidneys with 3 segments each. When the kidney damage occurs, those segments either swell with crystallization or become atrophied. As long as there are still 2 functioning segments, the chicken will appear normal and even continue to lay eggs, but once one of the last 2 segments fails, the chicken will die within 24 hours with no symptoms. Then they don't send the bird to a poultry diagnostic lab for necropsy and they never know that the excess calcium killed them.
Same goes for roosters, molting and retired hens.
If a bird doesn't lay eggs, they are not layers and can't eat layer feed - hence the name LAYER feed.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

A very chicken smart worker at FFH told me at about 6-8 months to start slowly mixing layer feed in with their starter/grower food.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

A very chicken smart worker at FFH told me at about 6-8 months to start slowly mixing layer feed in with their starter/grower food.

That won't hurt. Commercial layer operations begin a pre-lay feed at about 15 or 16 weeks which is about 2.5% calcium. That pre-lay diet is deemed to allow pullets to build up calcium in the medullary bone (which is where most of the calcium in an egg shell comes from) yet is low enough to not cause significant kidney damage.
It is important to know that Large egg farms have their own feed mills. They don't feed Purina Layena or Nutrena layer pellets. They can change the nutritional makeup of their feed on a daily basis. The assayed feed that comes out of the mill goes directly to the poultry houses every day.

 

[Pekin747]

Me personally I'd say ud be fine at 13 weeks theyed be big enough but ud best to gradually take them.of it dont just one morn decide to switch the entire feed caus some chicks can be picky