Should I switch to layer feed? I have one Roo

[mlahodik]

Hi, I have 12 pullets and 1 young too, they range from 14-24 weeks.
I know some of my girls are ready to start laying soon, squatting, red combs and wattles.

What is the best feed and snacks I can offer them? I usually spoil them with Boss, and the roam my yard daily. So far I have been feeding Dumor starter/grower and I have added crushed shell in a separate dish for thrm as well.

Anything I can give them to help them start laying? Should I back up on the sunflower seeds?

What are some kitchen scraps that may help egg production?

Finally, I'd like to have organic eggs, is this really possible using store bought feed?

Thank you again,

 

[ChloeSilkie08]

Hi, I have 12 pullets and 1 young too, they range from 14-24 weeks.
I know some of my girls are ready to start laying soon, squatting, red combs and wattles.

What is the best feed and snacks I can offer them? I usually spoil them with Boss, and the roam my yard daily. So far I have been feeding Dumor starter/grower and I have added crushed shell in a separate dish for thrm as well.

Anything I can give them to help them start laying? Should I back up on the sunflower seeds?

What are some kitchen scraps that may help egg production?

Finally, I'd like to have organic eggs, is this really possible using store bought feed?

Thank you again,

Well, you can't really "make" a pullet start laying. Egg shells, strawberries, oats, corn, and such they love and I do believe if a pullet or hen feels treated then she lays better. Just an opinion not proven. I use the Dumor layer pellets and they work great for me.

 

[CluckerFamily]

For organic eggs, I believe chicks are suppose to have started from day one with organic chick feed but I could be wrong.
I keep everyone on chick feed until the last one is laying eggs.
Be sure to offer oyster shells and grit as a free choice.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Hi, I have 12 pullets and 1 young too, they range from 14-24 weeks.
I know some of my girls are ready to start laying soon, squatting, red combs and wattles.

What is the best feed and snacks I can offer them? I usually spoil them with Boss, and the roam my yard daily. So far I have been feeding Dumor starter/grower and I have added crushed shell in a separate dish for thrm as well.

Anything I can give them to help them start laying? Should I back up on the sunflower seeds?

What are some kitchen scraps that may help egg production?

Finally, I'd like to have organic eggs, is this really possible using store bought feed?

Thank you again,

As Chloe Silkie said, you can’t make a hen lay faster, but feeding them layer feed will help their eggs become more nutritious. I feed my flock later feed mixed with a little bit of scratch grain and they all like it. The roo will eat layer feed and it won’t affect him in any way. He will probably like it actually. Mine does. And I have two.

 

[Ryguy3684]

My flocks main feed is flock raiser crumbles. It's good for all ages and genders. I opted against layer feed since I have a rooster. Some say the amount of calcium in layer feed won't hurt the rooster, but I'd rather not chance it. I'm attached to the big guy. The nice thing about flock raiser is the high protein. It's supposed to help the hens when they molt. I have a feeder with oyster shell/crushed up egg shells for the hens to get their calcium. I've observed that when my pullets are within a week or two of laying, they start hammering the oyster shell.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

My flocks main feed is flock raiser crumbles. It's good for all ages and genders. I opted against layer feed since I have a rooster. Some say the amount of calcium in layer feed won't hurt the rooster, but I'd rather not chance it. I'm attached to the big guy. The nice thing about flock raiser is the high protein. It's supposed to help the hens when they molt. I have a feeder with oyster shell/crushed up egg shells for the hens to get their calcium. I've observed that when my pullets are within a week or two of laying, they start hammering the oyster shell.

I give my birds flock raiser crumble mixed in with scratch grain. If I'm feeling nice I'll throw in a few mealworms... a bit odd that not all my chickens like mealworms, though.

 

[Ryguy3684]

.... a bit odd that not all my chickens like mealworms, though.

That is kind of odd. All my birds have always devoured mealworms. Mine are picky on what type of scratch grains they'll eat, though. Really a pain when you buy a giant bag and they decide it's not good enough.

 

[Ryguy3684]

Mine do get plenty of leftover veggies. Also, they make a round cage that holds a head of cabbage or other leafy greens. It keeps them entertained and gets them some good leafy greens.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

That is kind of odd. All my birds have always devoured mealworms. Mine are picky on what type of scratch grains they'll eat, though. Really a pain when you buy a giant bag and they decide it's not good enough.

I know lol... mine don't eat scratch grains alone so I sprinkle it around my yard and mix it in their food. If they don't eat it, the pigeons will. I am puzzled at why they don't eat the mealworms though. Maybe because they didn't have them as chicks?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Chickens will start laying when they start laying. no sooner. Recommend sticking with All Flock/Flock Raiser and free choice oyster shell. The excess calcium in layer is only good when they are actually laying. Otherwise, it builds up in the kidneys of young birds and all roosters, increasing the chances of early death from kidney failure.

BOSS and other treats should be kept to 10% of feed or less. While its a great source of protein, its also a great source of excessive fat - liver damage. A chicken suffering end stage fatty liver disease will often just fall over dead.

Its called "layer" feed because it has increased calcium for birds actively laying. It is also what commercial growers have determined to be the absolute minimum amount of protein to maintain "acceptable" overall flock health. If you are willing to invest in organic feeds, I can absolutely guarantee that "meets commercial minimums" is not *acceptable* to you. The increased protein in All Flock/Flock Raiser is better for your Roos, better for your chicks before they begin laying, does no injury to your layers, and in fact will assist them during periods of weather extremes (particularly cold/wet) and during molt.

Moreover, the (generally about) 4% calcium in layer feed is based on an average need for an average amount of food consumption, for a commercial layer like an RSL. Your birds may need more, or less, calcium then that, based on size, total diet, frequency and size of eggs laid, etc. Free Choice Oyster Shell allows your birds to get exactly what they need, neither more nor less.

The only down side is the slight increase in cost - generally $1-3 per 50#. I believe its worth it, for convenience alone, particularly if you have a mixed flock (as I do, see sig below)