my three ladies are free range - free choice. one has started laying and the others are to follow shortly. in theory they are all the same age. should i feed them layer ration? or just stick with the usual until they are all laying? how about oyster shell for all right now? thanks
What is the age of your birds? If they are 18 weeks or older, yes switch them now. If you've been using a medicated ration, there is a 4 week withdrawl period so that will give the others some time to get it out of their systems.
switch them all to layer feed, fi one is old enough to lay they all should be close and past the point where too mcuh calcium will effect them. Also check the manufacturer o f your feed, purina medicated has no withdrawl time, meaning you can eat thier eggs as soon as you get one.
Really? I use purina. I guess I'm ok then. I thought it said 4 weeks. Maybe I was looking at another brand
they are all about 22 weeks. never been on medicated feed. gonna pick up some layer ration tomorrow and off we go. thanks again
Your layer feed should have enough calcium in it so you don't really need oyster shell unless leave seem to be laying soft shelled eggs
I agree. A layers feed will be fine at their age, together with their free-ranging rations you'll soon (hopefully) be getting a regular egg supply from all your hens. Good luck Diane www.animalloversweb.com