Ok to feed layer feed a bit earlier than recommened?

[ChickenCanoe]

Excessive pullet, hen and rooster mortality from urolithiasis and gout.
https://www.hyline.com/aspx/redbook/redbook.aspx?s=5&p=36

A pre-lay diet before 16 weeks of age can do this. a layer feed at 13 weeks will definitely cause the damage.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

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.

She is a very honest person (hard to find in a feed store). Saved me from wasting my money on a bag of all flock feed for my older girls. She said just start a very small amount at a time.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

She is a very honest person (hard to find in a feed store). Saved me from wasting my money on a bag of all flock feed for my older girls. She said just start a very small amount at a time.

I agree. I don't think honesty is their problem, the problem is a lack of knowledge. That afflicts most feed store employees. 99% aren't poultry nutritionists nor have they been to vet school. So seeking information from them is fruitless.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I agree. I don't think honesty is their problem, the problem is a lack of knowledge. That afflicts most feed store employees. 99% aren't poultry nutritionists nor have they been to vet school. So seeking information from them is fruitless.

She is the one that mostly dealt with the babies, ordering, picking them up from Hatchery. She has been pretty knowledgeable so far.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Thank you all for this information. I like doing things because I know the reasons and consequences, not just because somebody "told me so." I"ll switch my birds to all-flock as quick as I can, meaning I'll buy a bag tomorrow and start mixing it with the layer and growth bags I have now until I get them switched over and the current bags are gone. I've said it before but it bears repeating, y'all are awesome and I really appreciate not only the wealth of knowledge represented here, but your willingness to share it. Thank you!

 

[FowlLove]

Thank you guys so much for your help! I have realized recently that one of the chicks is a rooster! So now I am thinking I should switch to all-flock with oyster shell on the side. Would that be ok long-term so the rooster doesn’t have to deal with excess calcium?

 

[Folly's place]

My birds, all ages and sexes, get an all flock feed all the time, with oyster shell on the side for the actively laying hens.
Remember that those commercial layers are confined, same genetics, and all dead before they are two years of age! If some start on layer feed a little early, who cares?
Mary