POL close?

[Lisawbsn]

17 week old Australorps seem to be closer than the others. Squatting and eating like hogs. These girls never were as assertive at taking treats and would wait their turn to eat. For the past week they have been pushing to the front and gobbling everything in sight. Should I put out oyster shells now? They were switched to layer feed about a week and a half ago. Opinions?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

They can exhibit these behaviors for several weeks prior to laying. It is not impossible for them to lay sooner than 20 weeks, but not common.

 

[rosemarythyme]

No harm in putting oyster shell out proactively, they'll eat it if they feel the need to and otherwise won't.

 

[3KillerBs]

One of my Blue Australorps laid even before the California White.

No harm to putting out the oystershell and making sure your nestboxes are ready -- but it will probably be a few weeks yet.