Pullet or Layer Feed?

[chickengrandma]

I have (almost) 6 month old pullet Bantams. They are not laying yet, but I think they should be any day now? (right?)

I just ran out of Pullet (chick, pre-laying) feed for them. Should/can I start giving them Layer Feed, even though they haven't officially started laying? Or should I go get another bag of the pullet feed for them?

 

[Hillbilly Rooster]

Depending on what you are using the bag should have a schedule on it on how long that you feed the pullets. I go by that and mine sometimes end up with layer feed before their laying and sometimes not.

I would go to layer feed.

 

[sillyaboutchickens]

I am by no means an expert, but I think the layer feed can be fed after 18 weeks. Some of the feed I have looked at recommends starting (at an estimated) 4 weeks prior to laying, but not before 18 weeks. I believe the higher calcium content in the layer feed can damage kidneys of young chicks and that is the reason for the 18+ week recommendation on the layer feed.

 

[chickengrandma]

Thanks for your guidance. I never thought of looking at the bag (so simple! duh!).