Too soon to move to layers pellets?

[triala]

Total newbie here - so I apologise in advance if I ask something many others have asked/answered before! I just need some advice and reassurance.

I have four lovely Bresse girls, who are 14 1/2 weeks old now. I am getting near the end of a bag of growers, and already have a bag of layers ready. I have approximately ten days' worth of growers pellets left. Is it too soon to move them onto layers when I finish it, or do I need to get a bag of growers pellets? They have now got definite combs and wattles showing/standing proud of their heads, although I do not think they are quite fully mature yet.

Thanks!

 

[Percheron chick]

Hold off on the layer until they start. That could be another 6-8 weeks. Pick up another bag of grower. By your own account, they still need the extra nutrients.

 

[triala]

Thanks for that. I forgot to say that I have bought some oyster shell grit, and have accumulated egg shells that I can crush and mix with it (read somewhere here that is worth doing, but not supply only the egg shells - have I remembered that correctly?).

If I do buy another bag of growers, I can still feed them it once they are laying? Would I mix it with the layers e.g. half and half, or what?

 

[Percheron chick]

You can feed the grower forever or you can switch. I would just mix the two when they start laying until the grower is finished. You won't waste it.

 

[pdirt]

If you NEVER plan to have roosters or chicks again, go ahead and feed the layer feed. However if you do, you might consider feeding grower indefinitely, along with the oyster shells/egg shells on the side. That way, the roosters and/or chicks can eat the feed without getting excessive calcium that layer feed has in it. (It's excessive for anyone other than a hen currently laying eggs.) If you do decide to go grower-only, go ahead and use up the bag of layer you have, but only once they start laying eggs. If you feed grower only, you need to have additional calcium, like you've prepared for (correct, don't feed only eggshells, not enough calcium in them, they need the oyster shell too). But even if you feed layer, you might consider leaving some additional calcium...they won't eat much of it like they will on a grower diet, but some folks claim it makes a difference.