Too soon?

[awizkey]

I have 19 chickens...1 wl roo, 4 rhode island reds, 2 wl, 1 black sexlink, 3 ee, and introduced about a month ago, 4 prairie blue bell eggers, 3 sapphire olive eggers, and a golden comet. I currently feed them starter grower with oyster shell or ground up egg shells for calcium. The newbies are around 18 weeks old, some of the combs are dark red, so I'm not sure if they aren't laying yet because they are still a bit nervous/jumpy from being at the bottom of the pecking order or what. My question is, can I switch the feed back to layer feed? Or is it still too soon?

 

[john_wrightson2003]

I have 19 chickens...1 wl roo, 4 rhode island reds, 2 wl, 1 black sexlink, 3 ee, and introduced about a month ago, 4 prairie blue bell eggers, 3 sapphire olive eggers, and a golden comet. I currently feed them starter grower with oyster shell or ground up egg shells for calcium. The newbies are around 18 weeks old, some of the combs are dark red, so I'm not sure if they aren't laying yet because they are still a bit nervous/jumpy from being at the bottom of the pecking order or what. My question is, can I switch the feed back to layer feed? Or is it still too soon?

I know that this goes against the books and all that, but im feeding and always have started feeding my chicks layer feed at like almost 2 months old, and haven't had any problems, so you should be perfectly fine doing that.

 

[DobieLover]

Why would you want to switch back to layer? You have a rooster and non-laying pullets that not only do not need the extra calcium, but can be damaged by eating it. The damage does take time but it will manifest itself as they age.
Most keepers feed an All Flock or Flock Raiser type of feed with oyster shell on the side. The only reason to switch to layer is to save a few dollars on feed at the cost of the chickens health.

 

[awizkey]

It was a question. I have zero issues continuing grower with extra free choice calcium. Saving money isn't an issue as I buy organic feed which is double the price of conventional feed. I like pellet because there is zero waste as opposed to the crumbles. I read that flock raiser has a ton of protein which could put weight way too fast causing leg and foot issues and could also have caused them to start laying too soon. Most layer feed is recommended 18 weeks and older so I was wondering.

 

[Kiki]

Which brand name of feed do you use?
I can show you the difference in their layer feed vs. their all flock and or grower type feed.

 

[awizkey]

Which brand name of feed do you use?
I can show you the difference in their layer feed vs. their all flock and or grower type feed.

I use Nature's Best Organic Starter/Grower for the babies and Nature's Best Organic Layer for the hens. They also get flock blocks, occasional treats, stuff from my garden, and I have an Iguana that's a vegetarian, so they get the scraps after I make his salads lol. I don't think the flock is available at the store (that brand), but I could be wrong.

 

[Kiki]

I use Nature's Best Organic Starter/Grower for the babies and Nature's Best Organic Layer for the hens. They also get flock blocks, occasional treats, stuff from my garden, and I have an Iguana that's a vegetarian, so they get the scraps after I make his salads lol. I don't think the flock is available at the store (that brand), but I could be wrong.

Be careful will all the extras/treats. The more treats you feed the less balanced diet they are getting.

 

[chickens really]

I feed Grower finisher feed and only supply Oyster shell once a week...Mine is 16% protein.

 

[awizkey]

Be careful will all the extras/treats. The more treats you feed the less balanced diet they are getting.
View attachment 1843627

Thank you. I give flock block every month or two and I prepare iggy's salads once a week.

 

[awizkey]

Thank you. I give flock block every month or two and I prepare iggy's salads once a week.

Between almost 20 if them, the treats are spread pretty thin lol