Too early for Layena crumbles?

[Newtopian]

I have a flock of 5 ladies, got them on March 22 at my local feed store. They were days old, so I can assume that they are 9 to 10 weeks old.
I just returned from the feed store to buy another bag of non medicated start and grow. I paid for it, and the guy walks into the back to get my bag, and then comes back to tell me that they are sold out.
"How old are your chickens?" He asks.
"I got them from you guys. Back in march. So 9 or 10 weeks" I told him.
He then goes on to tell me that they are probably old enough for the Layena crumbles. He explains that there is less protein but that its not much different.
So I took the bag home. I still have another weeks worth of Start and Grow, but then they get moved on to crumbles.

Am I OK? Am I going to screw anything up? I gather, from what I have read, that the extra protein in Start and Grow is for the growing hens, and that once they're full grown its time for the change in feed. But does moving them on to crumbles earlier than recommended really do any damage or slow anything down?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Young chicks should not eat Layer. They've no way to expel the high calcium that is packed into Layer feed the way a laying hen can with the shell of the egg she lays. High calcium has a big risk of renal damage.


Save the bag or exchange it. Whichever is easier for you, but go buy an unmedicated Starter, or Flock Raiser, or Grower. Wait to feed the layer until the eggs actually begin to appear.

BTW- crumbles, mash, pellets etc,, are all just textures. The shape says nothing about the content.

 

[Fred's Hens]

That feed employee? Next time, you might suggest he read the back of the bag. Purina puts this feed schedule/chart in print on the back of the bag and it is also on their website. Most of the employees continue to demonstrate that they are just working people. They simply don't and cannot know what they should know about all the products and their use. Too many items in the store.

 

[Newtopian]

I read that schedule on the bag when I got home. Which is why I asked the question. I already opened the bag and put into my bin container.
How long does feed keep?
I will be buying a bag of start and grow in the meantime.

 

[Fred's Hens]

If you seal up the container bin well, it should keep for a month to 6 weeks, which would be about the right time to use it.
Good for you. You have to educate yourself, OBVIOUS STATEMENT, (I'm not being brilliant here, LOL) because no one will care about your birds more than you. That feed store employee? Nah. He just made a sale that's all, even if it the wrong product.