Too early for layer feed?

[FamilyOfChickens]

A few of our 4-ish month old Ameraucanas have red combs; isn't this a sign that they should start laying anytime? We just switched them to the layer feed, with a little of the grower mixed in. Is this okay for them? They love the crumbles a lot more than they did the grower pellets, that's for sure. They just knocked the oyster shell I put in there all over the place (what a mess!), so I won't be doing that any time soon.

They seem to be fine, but I wanted to make sure.

 

[Rooster01]

They are old enough. I normally start feeding laying crumbles at 4 months. It won't hurt them. They won't be needing oyster shells for a few months.

 

[kstaven]

Ameraucana's could be 6 months before laying. EE's are usually earlier.

 

[allen wranch]

The pullets don't need the extra calcium in the layer feed until they are actually laying. Some people wait until the first egg. I switch at about 5 months and don't add any oyster shell until I see an egg. Just put it in a separate container. Don't mix with the feed.

 

[horsewishr]

I'm a bit confused. Both of the layer feeds I've seen in the feed store say they are complete feeds--and that you don't need to add calcium. Should I believe the labels?

 

[Rooster01]

Quote:
Most laying feed mixes have calcium in them, But when the hens start laying, they need more calcium that what the laying feed has in it. They will only eat the oyster shell if they need it so they won't OD on calcium.