Should I start Laying Mash

[modenacart]

I have about one weeks worth of medicated start and grow left, and I expect my chickens to start laying the end of July, begining of August. Should I get laying mash or more start and grow. I have six chickens, four are pullets, one roo and one I don't know.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I'd keep them on the starter/grower til the first egg is laid then mix the two feeds til your out of starter/grower and then stay with the layer then....

 

[Acre of Blessings]

You can give the remaining start/grow that you have left to the Roo, beings he won't need laying mash.

 

[MissPrissy]

Quote:
This is the best way to go. Too much calcium too early (when they don't need it because they are not egg laying) can cause kidney problems in your hens.

 

[modenacart]

Feed is medicated, is that a problem?

 

[modenacart]

They are 17.4 weeks old. They should be laying any day right? I hate to buy a big bag of feed and not need it.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
I agree. I cant wait for mine to start laying eggs. Around sept. i bet.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:
Depends on what breed of hen you have...most don't start laying til around 20 week or so and it will not hurt them to be on a starter/grower til you finish the bag or starter mixing in the layer...just add some oyster shell along side the starter/grower to help with calcium...

 

[modenacart]

One polish, two barred rocks, and two austrolops.

 

[MissPrissy]

My polish did not lay until 30 weeks of age. My barred rocks laid around 22 - 24 weeks age. I have never raised the australorps.

I would hold off until I see an egg before giving layer ration.