Providing Laying Feed

[roostercluck]

I have 13 week old hens and I was wondering if it is safe to start them on laying feed?

 

[ChicKat]

Because of the high calcium content, generally it is considered better for their long-term health to keep them on a grower ration until they are actually laying or until they reach the laying age for their breed. For example if you have, let's say sex-links they generally start laying around 16-20 weeks. Some other breeds lay at greater ages.

A lot of the long-term health and well being will depend on the growing up nutrition that you give them. If it were me, I would delay laying feed.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Agree with above. There's nothing to be gained. Nothing at all. Only potential renal issues later on. Many breeds do not actually begin to lay until week 22-28. Potentially, you are only 1/2 way to egg laying. Keep them on Starter/Grower. You've got some time. Patience.

 

[chickensnever]

Hello new to having chickens like have 12 chickens and 6 i have had for about 2 months some for 1 1/2 months you said depending on what breed some lay later I think mine are a cross breed but I have no ideal have but pic maybe you could help....

 

[ChicKat]

Maybe the two on the right are hybrids--- so they will tend to start young....let's say, target at 5-months or so. Maybe even a little sooner.

The one on the left....maybe a combination and part of the combination Rhode Island Red....which may mean five or six months to start of lay. You will soon have lots and lots and lots of big beautiful brown eggs.

 

[shelbear81]

they look like red stars to me, which tend to lay around 20 weeks, but without getting a better look, it's hard to tell... Good luck though, they are beautiful!

 

[chicken pickin]

Im glad you posted this question because I also was wondering about layer feed. I know it is best to wait to feed it until they lay the first egg or 20weeks of age. My problem is I have 12 chickens all 16 weeks and 3 days, I have maybe 2-3 days worth left of my 50lb bag of grower cal. Is it ok to start the layer now being close to 17 weeks or am I going to have to buy another bag of grower (I think they may have a 25lb bag)?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Im glad you posted this question because I also was wondering about layer feed. I know it is best to wait to feed it until they lay the first egg or 20weeks of age. My problem is I have 12 chickens all 16 weeks and 3 days, I have maybe 2-3 days worth left of my 50lb bag of grower cal. Is it ok to start the layer now being close to 17 weeks or am I going to have to buy another bag of grower (I think they may have a 25lb bag)?

Again, all the replies above applies. If the birds are red sex links, they'll probably reach point of lay at 18 weeks, so there would be no problem. However, most other breeds dawdle. Some take as long a 26 weeks, and that is another 10 weeks. See the issue?

BTW, there's no magic in layer feed. It's essentially just Grower anyhow. BUT, it is laced with calcium, ground right in. So? Just feed Grower and offer calcium on the side. Easy as pie. There is actually no rush to feed layer, actually, no need to feed layer at all. Many folks NEVER feed layer. They merely provide a calcium source, like oyster shells, available and that's that. Hope that helps.

 

[ChicKat]

That is a really good question that a lot of people face. Sometimes, I think that we split hairs to the detail level.

I would say you could 1. switch to layer, 2. continue with grower (A 25-pound bag is used up) and provide oyster shells and or egg shells crushed up, or borrow some grower feed from someone until they lay. Because 16-weeks is about 4-months...and they could be tricky and not start until 6-months just to be aggrivators, as chickens sometimes will. (Usually though they will start when their particular breed is supposed to start). A third alternative is to get a whole flock, or flock feeder type feed and make sure to supplement their calcium. Sometimes chickens drive their owners crazy. I think I would take choice 2... It will be interesting to see what other ideas come in.

 

[chicken pickin]

I can definitely go to the store and get a 25lb bag of grower I only ask because I do already have a bag of layer feed I bought last week(so I could have it when it was time for it) and I didnt realize how low the bag of grower was. I was actually wrong about having 2-3 days left I emptied the bag this AM. I guess Im bad with visual measuring lol. I have to go to the feed store today anyhow and look for meds for one of my chickens(she has an awful swollen eye) so I can pick up feed then.