OK to give layer feed to 16 week old chickens?

[Bethel3330]

Well it might have been medicated sorry for putting it that way though.
It just had something in it that made them grow faster than normal because when we bought some from tsc with the stater feed and like at 16 wks old they were full grown brids.
We feed the chicks laying mash with corn it was made by Georgia's Farm Center in Metter. We just make sure the feed we buy for the animals like the goats and horses and chickens isn't medicated because we eat the eggs and we use the goats for milk and we make ice cream and yogurt, butter.

i am sorry about that i didn't mean steroids, i believe i meant medicated i just didn't think about it.

It might've been the breed, not the feed at all. Some mature very fast. My BAs have always been much larger than my BRs (bought them as 8 week olds), and I have two in the brooder right now that were hatched the same day, a java and a Wyandotte. The java makes 3 of the Wyandotte right now.
I wouldn't feed layer to young chickens. The damage done can't be seen and may not even be noticed until they're gone. Kidney problems are no fun. Jmo

 

[Bethel3330]

By young chickens, I meant chicks. I don't think a few weeks is going to be that big a deal. I'm debating on keeping ours on grower since we have a rooster. He was eating chick starter and is now on grower with the rest of them anyhow ;-)

 

[kmiller11]

If the layer feed dosnt hurt a rooster...who never lays eggs, then it wont hurt a hen who hasnt started laying eggs. One just has more protein/vitimens in it needed for egg laying vs growing. Its all the same.

 

[Bethel3330]

You know, I saw an old study that said hypercalcaemia is more of a problem in fast-growing broiler type birds. Maybe that's why people who feed layer to their entire flocks don't usually have a problem, but I'd rather not take the chance.

The following is taken from http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/02/calcium-mixed-flocks-vs-mixed-feeds.html?m=1 :

"The calcium content in chick starter / grower feeds and general flock feeds usually falls between 0.5% and 1.5%.

The average calcium content of Layer Feed ranges from 3.25% to 4.8%. If a bird is laying regularly, these calcium levels are fine as the calcium is used to create the shell of the egg… but for any bird that is not laying, these levels may be too high, and might actually cause harm to some birds.



If a chicken is not laying and using excess calcium to produce egg shell, the kidney must filter out the excess calcium. Over time this can cause kidney failure.

Too much calcium, or Hypercalcaemia, can also result in calcification of the soft tissues and organs (including the liver and heart), pancreatitis, egg binding, dry skin, appetite loss, lethargy, confusion, depression, slowed growth in pullets and cockerels, dehydration, diarrhea or constipation, and even death."

 

[Chris09]

If the layer feed dosnt hurt a rooster...who never lays eggs, then it wont hurt a hen who hasnt started laying eggs. One just has more protein/vitimens in it needed for egg laying vs growing. Its all the same.

You might what to look into some of the studies done on non-laying fowl and the affect of feeding high amounts of calcium.
There is a good reason why calcium toxicity is sometimes call the silent killer.

Quote from The Merck Veterinary Manual
Quote from Hiline

http://www.hyline.com/aspx/redbook/redbook.aspx?s=5&p=36

 

[patty922]

iwhat did you eve decide to do? did it hurt their egg laying on time? i have Easter Eggers and am in the exact same situation

 

[SusanCroteau]

My husband inadvertently bought layer and I did not know it. My chickens are 16 and 17 weeks old. 4 days after they began eating the new bag I got my first egg and that's when I noticed it was layer food that was 3 days ago. Today I got 3 eggs. I am worried about my chickens now! Should I go and buy growers and stop the other??

 

[GC-Raptor]

My husband inadvertently bought layer and I did not know it. My chickens are 16 and 17 weeks old. 4 days after they began eating the new bag I got my first egg and that's when I noticed it was layer food that was 3 days ago. Today I got 3 eggs. I am worried about my chickens now! Should I go and buy growers and stop the other??

Why? They have started to lay, they need the Calcium. The layers feed didn't make them lay. They would've laid anyway. So your husband bought layers feed just in time. Congratulations on the first eggs.GC

 

[denisesoderlind]

Tractor Supply says 16 weeks to build the health and ready egg laying.
I just read it.