Switching feeds....do I need to mix them?

[Willow's Meadow]

My chickens are 14 weeks old and when they are 18 weeks old I am going to switch their feed from Purina Start and Grow to Purina Layer feed. Do I need to mix the feeds for a week or so to switch them or can I just to it "cold turkey" (lol that was funny!

)???????

 

[PunkinPeep]

I've never mixed when changing feeds. We go "cold turkey" around here. No problem.

 

[woodmort]

Whoa, wait a minute! Are all your chickens laying? If not then they shouldn't be getting layer feed. Keep them on the grower until they're laying. Chances are you'll still have grower left so just mix to the two together until the grower is gone. But, again, don't force your birds, the added calcium in the layer won't do them any good at this stage. The usual procedure is, as they approach laying age--and 18 weeks is a little young--give them free choice oyster shell in another container so those that are starting to lay can get the calcium they need. Then once the whole flock is laying it is time to switch.