Switching feed question

[GC-Raptor]

I am currently using up a feed with a mill date of December 11, 2017.
I keep my feed in my house at room temperature in the original bag, tightly sealed with a bag clip. GC

 

[LittleMissCountry]

I keep the feed in the bag, closed, and then in a sealed rubbermaid tote, to keep mice out of the house. The bag was milled 4 months ago, according to the date.
I may buy some layer feed, or grower feed and just mix them. Would it be okay to give them a layer feed mixed with starter this early (with no oyster shells obviously)? I haven't seen grower feed at our TS, although I may have just missed it.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Would it be okay to give them a layer feed mixed with starter this early

I would wait till 16 weeks, then mix till gone. Add Oyster Shell in a separate container when the first one lays.
Purina Start & Grow is a combo feed you can feed till 18 weeks or continue to feed the un-medicated version with Oyster Shell on the side.
If you have the medicated version, I would toss it in the trash when your pullets are 18 weeks old. GC
Edited to add, I would toss feed in the trash that is 6 months old. I currently have feed that is nearly 5 months old.

 

[gator75]

I switch my whole flock over to layer pellets at 18 weeks. I give them plenty of treats filled with protein on the side. They free range an hour a day. I have three 8-9 wk old pullets and a single 16 wk old pullet. When the last 25lb of my grower crumble is gone, I'm going to layer. Never offered oyster shell with it to my last flock of laying hens and never have had any thin egg shells.

I would guess a VAST majority of chicken owners nationwide
offer layer pellets with no additional calcium or protein. People on this site tend to go above and beyond.

 

[cmom]

When I hatch out my chicks and I have some chick feed left over and I want to start the birds on layer, I mix the starter in with the layer until the starter is gone. I hate to waste feed.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

When I hatch out my chicks and I have some chick feed left over and I want to start the birds on layer, I mix the starter in with the layer until the starter is gone. I hate to waste feed.

Me too! Especially when it is so expensive.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

I would wait till 16 weeks, then mix till gone. Add Oyster Shell in a separate container when the first one lays.
Purina Start & Grow is a combo feed you can feed till 18 weeks or continue to feed the un-medicated version with Oyster Shell on the side.
If you have the medicated version, I would toss it in the trash when your pullets are 18 weeks old. GC
Edited to add, I would toss feed in the trash that is 6 months old. I currently have feed that is nearly 5 months old.

I do have the medicated version. It was all they had when I bought it. It should be gone within the next four weeks, so I will buy an unmedicated feed for the next bag. Last time I was in the store had some 20 lb bags of the start and grow.