Should I change the ration now that they are laying?

[Madame Cluck]

Our four pullets are 15 weeks old, and we found our first two eggs today. They have been eating treats like watermelon and grapes but mainly a grower/finisher ration from the farm supply store for the last three weeks. Now that they are starting to lay, should I change the ration to a layer ration? We are about to finish off our big back of the grower/finisher and will need to buy more in a couple of days and I'm not sure what is best to buy.

 

[Fred's Hens]

You can certainly continue to feed them what you have. No problem at all. I would, however, provide them a calcium source, such as oyster shells. Now is the time they need the calcium and can use it. When that bag runs out, you can switch to Layer, which is not horribly different at all. Only difference, really, is the calcium is ground right into the feed.

 

[PartyOnARoost]

Ya switch to layer feed gives them more organic and healthier eggs and helps the hen grow and lay better too. What type of breed are your pullets? 15 weeks is pretty young to me...

 

[Chris09]

There isn't much different between Grower and Layer.
If your grower is around 18% protein then there is no real reason to switch to Layer if you provide them with Oyster Shells.


Chris

 

[Madame Cluck]

I thought 15 weeks seemed really young too. I'm not sure of the breed. I bought them at Tractor Supply as mixed breed pullets. I think they may be red sex links or something similar.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I thought 15 weeks seemed really young too. I'm not sure of the breed. I bought them at Tractor Supply as mixed breed pullets. I think they may be red sex links or something similar.

Thanks for all the input.

I think I read once that Egyptian Fayoumis lay at 4 months. It is unusual in other breeds to my knowledge...usually more like 5-6 months. How fortunate you are!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Sometimes it depends on just how old they are when you get them from TSC. I've gotten some in past years that were quite likely a week old from hatch, shipping to store, and finally being sold. It just depends. In any case, if you have red sex links, they can indeed lay at 16 weeks, or at least a few individuals sometimes do.