I have 9 chickens of various breeds. When a leghorn and gold star started to lay I switched feed from Purina chick starter to layer feed. But now after reading that I have late bloomers I'm wondering what to do, should I switch to something else?
Many members, from what i have read, prefer to feed growers / general flock feed and then offer oyster shell as an optional calcium supplement that the laying hens can eat. For me, that has not worked (I can only get limestone here and they won't have a crumb of it). If it works for your flock, then i would try that route first and see how you get on and remember that first time layers often lay soft shell eggs, so don't necessarily assume its down to their feed. All the best CT
Have never used 'layer' feed. I like to feed a 'flock raiser' 20% protein crumble to all ages and genders, as non-layers(chicks, males and molting birds) do not need the extra calcium that is in layer feed and chicks and molters can use the extra protein. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat. I do grind up the crumbles (in the blender) for the chicks for the first week or so. The higher protein crumble also offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer. I adjust the amounts of other feeds to get the protein levels desired with varying situations. Calcium should be available at all times for the layers, I use oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container. Animal protein (mealworms, a little cheese - beware the salt content, meat scraps) is provided during molting and if I see any feather eating.
Layer didn't provide enough protein for my flock and my management, I feed either a non medicated grower or an all flock.
