Switching feed

[Spanky357]

My pullets are about 7 or 8 weeks old. When shld I transition over to "regular" layer feed? They're on chick starter still. They love fresh cut grass btw.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Switch when they start to lay. Commercial operations can control when their pullets start laying by controlling feed, lights, and breeding but we don't. The commercial operations can start a higher calcium feed at a certain age because of that. But for our chickens it is best to wait until you see an egg. Or better yet, just stay on the Starter or Grower and offer oyster shell on the side. That way any that need the extra calcium can eat it and the ones that don't need it don't eat enough to harm themselves.

 

[Kiki]

My pullets are about 7 or 8 weeks old. When shld I transition over to "regular" layer feed? They're on chick starter still. They love fresh cut grass btw.

What is the brand name of the feed you buy?
And do you plan on staying with that particular brand name when switching to a layer type feed?

Most feed bags will have feeding timeline directions on their bag.

 

[chickens really]

Hello..Normal practice is starter till 8 weeks and then Grower till egg laying begins.
I feed my Chickens Grower and oyster shell separate. I never use layer feed.

 

[traco]

Hello..Normal practice is starter till 8 weeks and then Grower till egg laying begins.
I feed my Chickens Grower and oyster shell separate. I never use layer feed.

Interesting. You don't feed your hens layer food? Just stick with grower and oyster shell separate for their lives?

 

[Kiki]

Interesting. You don't feed your hens layer food? Just stick with grower and oyster shell separate for their lives?

If you follow this link
Poultry Feed Comparison Chart it will take you to a Google sheet I am working on that lists all types of poultry feeds side by side so you can see/compare them.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Interesting. You don't feed your hens layer food? Just stick with grower and oyster shell separate for their lives?

Some of us are constantly integrating immature birds with the flock. We never feed Layer, just a low calcium feed with oyster shell on the side.

 

[traco]

16% or 18%?

 

[alexa009]

They usually say 16-24 weeks but I usually wait until the first egg. Some of my chickens usually aren't mature enough until 8 months and I believe thats too high calcium for their kidneys to handle.

 

[Ridgerunner]

16% or 18%?

16%, 18%, 20% basically whatever we wish. Some even go higher but I don't recommend that except in certain conditions. Some people are quite happy with 16%, some will settle for nothing less than 20% or even higher. There are no set rules, we all have reasons for what we choose.