Purina Layena Feed plus extra items

[Melanie Midyett]

Hello, I have 16 week old babies! They have been on Purina Chick Starter (medicated) since day 1. I plan on switching them over to Purina Layena in 2 more weeks and have some questions in the process. I know there is crumbles and pellets in this version , so thinking I might start with both and mix them as my girls are used to the crumbles, but I have read the pellets are less wasteful so I might want to convert to pellets completely. And that both the crumbles and pellets are the same formula of feed so wont be an issue with ever mixing them of switching from one to the other, etc.

But when switching from the chick to layer feed I need to mix gradually to convert. Should I begin this at 18 weeks or start a week earlier?

And this layer feed is complete with oyster shell and grit. But is it okay for me to offer additional shell and grit, too? I figured I could supply them with their clean, crushed egg shells and some extra grit in case they want more. Or would that be over doing it?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I actually never switch to a layer, and it isn't necessary. I definitely wouldn't switch to a layer until all are laying as a layer often has less protein and switching too soon will slow down maturity. I would always keep separate bowls of oyster shells and grit. Put the oyster shells out whenever you want they will consume them as they need them.

Most hens on a layer will consume very little extra calcium and some can get too much from the feed itself and you will see extra calcium deposits on the eggs. You can offer them crushed eggshells as well, mine prefer them over the oyster shells, they will pick and choose what they prefer.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I switched over to pellets, by mixing it with Start & Grow crumbles 50/50 for 2 weeks and tossing some pellets on dry ground as a treat. My 16 week old sex-links gobbled them up.
When should you switch is tough this time of year with the diminishing daylight.
If you have a sex-links type of chicken, they could lay soon.
If you have added lights to the coop and run, to lengthen daylight then some breeds may lay around 20/26 weeks.
If you don't add light or have a sex-links type. I would feed non medicated Start & Grow or a Flock Raiser/All Flock feed till 20 weeks old, before switching. I like to feed a 18 percent layers feed. I ordered 18% Hearty Hen feed today, supposed to come in Wednesday. Am trying for the first time. Soy free with added flax. GC

 

[junebuggena]

Layer feed is for actively laying birds only, so you really shouldn't make the switch till everybody is laying. Depending on the breeds you have that could be several months from now. Too much calcium, too early on, can be damaging to the kidneys. And the lower protein content of the layer feed can slow down development.
But you don't ever have to switch them to layer feed if you don't want to. There is no magic ingredient in it. Layer feed is a complete diet, but does not contain grit. Grit is not needed for the digestion of pelleted feed.

 

[Titan Farm]

Since your staying within the same brand you don't have to gradually switch them, you can just go straight from starter to layer.
I wouldn't offer any layer feed until they are laying, there is way too much calcium in the layer feed for non laying birds.
As for adding eggshells as a calcium supplement,, you can but it isn't going to do much good. Hens need a large particle calcium source like oyster shells and calcium carbonate egg shells are a small particle so it isn't used very efficiently and most of the calcium comes out as waste.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You are correct in that there is no difference nutritionally between pellets, crumble, or mash. The normal manufacturing process is to grind all the ingredients to make mash. If they want pellets they wet the mash, form it, and flash dry it. To make crumbles they partially crush the pellets. There can be different analysis (differences in protein, fiber, fats, calcium, and such) in different brands for Layer, Grower, Starter, and such but that is because of the ingredients used, not whether they are mash, pellets, or crumbles.

A Layer feed should contain all the calcium they need for their egg shells if that Layer is all they eat. But if they eat anything other than Layer, like treats or maybe they forage for some of what they eat, they may not get as much calcium as they need. I’s not how much is in on bite but how many total grams of calcium they eat in a day, and even then it’s more of an average over a few days. I think it is a good idea to offer a calcium supplement on the side. They tend to know if they need more calcium or not. The ones that need it end to eat it, the ones that don’t need it don’t eat enough to harm themselves. If they are getting enough calcium that supplement may last a long time.

One way to check how you are doing on calcium is to look at their egg shells. If the shells are hard and thick they are getting enough. If the shells are soft or thin they probably need more.

The digestive juices in the chicken’s digestive system are acidic and will dissolve the calcium so their body can absorb it and use it. Not all the calcium they eat is absorbed by the body and used, some passes on through and out the rear end. If they absorb a bit much the excess is removed by their organs and also goes out the rear end. Too much excess calcium is why the organs can be harmed. That’s one thing that makes compost that incorporates chicken poop so good for a vegetable garden, that calcium is a vital nutrient for many plants.

The chickens use something called a gizzard to grind big chunks into a powder so they can more easily be digested. I would not worry about whether it is oyster shell or egg shell, it will all be ground down so it can be used.

 

[Titan Farm]

From the studies I read. I wish I had a link but I don't. I may have to look for it again.

* Eggshells - Small particle size and poor absorption making for poor eggshell quality.
* Fine Limestone - Small to Medium particle size making for a better quality eggshell than that of eggshells.
* Oyster Shells - Medium particle size and has a better absorption than eggshells and fine limestone.
* Large Limestone - Large particle size, good for eggshells density because of the large Calcium particle size.

 

[chickens really]

I do not use Layer either...I feed Grower and oyster shell on the side..18% protein...

 

[Kathy Golla]

I did what you stated and mixed the two (the grower crumbles and the layer pellets) starting at 18 weeks. But I mixed for no longer than like a month. I personally like the layer pellets. Its like a perfect little bite of nutrition in a pill form.
Be prepared, they wont like the pellets at first but after about three weeks they will catch on. Keep with it.
I serve grit and oyster shell separately.

 

[DucksAndGardens]

I feed flockraiser to my ducks and chickens and then just add free access to oyster shells. The reason being that
A. I'm not paying full feed prices for feed with added grit and oyster shell. Oyster shells are cheap cheap cheap so I can buy a 50lb bag for $12 that lasts me almost a year and when I buy their feed I'm buying 50lbs of actual feed.

B. Grit they can get from the ground when they forage and if they really need it I will go dig up some gravel from the driveway.

C. I don't want to pay for something they can get for free. So when you buy that Layer complete you're paying money for grit and oyster shell and not getting as much feed in your bag.

D. I prefer to let the hens decide how much calcium they need by eating the oyster shell separately. Less chance of overtaxing their kidneys with excess calcium.