Time to switch...help!?!?

[JeninMN]

Switching 17 week olds (will be 18 week old by the time they start this on Sunday) Buff Orps...

When switching to Layer from starter/grower what are the important things I need to know?

Need to start grit? scratch?
Do I mix grit in WITH the layer???

The starter / grower was medicated...do I need to give them supplements of anything else being as Layer isn't medicated???

Oh my nerves are shot already just thinking about this...

I've been in a comfort zone since day 1 and now feel like its getting a little shook up switching their food..I want to make sure I do it right!

Any and all advice is so much appreciated!!

Jen in MN

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Dump the Layer feed into the feeder on top of the grower feed and offer oyster shells in a separate feeder.

Don't worry about doing a mamby-pamby switch over, that only applies if you are making a drastic change if feed. Switching from grower to layer is NOT a drastic change.

Jim

 

[JeninMN]

What about when the grower is all gone...and its just the Layer...do I put grit in that? Can I get oyster shells at the same place I get the feed generally??

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Offer grit and oyster shells free choice in small feeders. Your feed supplier should be able to offer you both the grit and the oyster shells.

Jim

 

[ahad]

Hi
You don't need the oyster shel or grot now!
oyster shel and grit iwill be need about 35 weeks!

 

[tvtaber]

OMG! Breathe! Like they said above, put the layer in the feeder on top of the starter, then walk away. Yes, they need grit now and at 18 weeks you may as well add oyster shell because hopefully they'll be laying soon. They know how much of these two things they need so don't mix it in the feed, just offer it in a small feeder or container. I don't give grit because they have access to sand and little rocks in the run, but it won't hurt to have it available.

You can get both of these products at the feed store where you buy the chick feed. No chicken has ever died by improper switch over of feed!!

 

[my first peepers]

I thought they always needed grit? Specially if they don't have access to outside.

 

[jossanne]

Adding grit depends on the feed mix. Read your labels or ask your feed man.

We are fortunate that our feed store has a mill and they make their own animal feeds. My feed man includes grit and plenty of calcium in layer pellets, so we don't have to supplement with grit or oyster shell. They also get plenty of grit from scratching and pecking in the dirt.