Transitioning from developer feed to layer feed

[Ashley Pederson]

Hello! I have a flock of 5 18-19 week old chickens and our 19 week RIR just laid her first egg this afternoon! Should I mix some layer feed with the last bit of developer feed we have left and start feeding it to all of them or keep them on the developer until we run out or more start laying? Would it hurt the other four if we started them on layer feed before they are laying? Sorry if this seems like a silly concern. This is my first flock and you lot are the pros!

 

[Den in Penn]

You can start the layer now. Mixing the two till you run out if developer is a good idea. The other four should be on the point of laying so the extra calcium shouldn't hurt them in the short time it takes for them to start. I am assuming the other pullets are of breeds that normally start around twenty weeks.

 

[Ashley Pederson]

I think so. The rest of the flock is made up of a Brahma, Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte and an Ameraucana. All of their combs have turned bright red, but they do not seem to keen about letting me feel them up to check their hip bones.

 

[SusanD]

Hi,

I also had the same question. I was thinking of starting layer feed (probably mixing it with the last of our grower feed) when my thee chicks hit 19 weeks in July. However, I was wondering if breed would make a difference? I have a Langshan, RIR, and a Welsummer. The combs on my welsummer and the RIR look like they're starting to redden already, while the comb on the Langshan is pretty pale.

Susan.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You can feed ouster shell free choice instead of switching over to layer feed. Shell can be purchased in bulk from your feed store. I get 5 or 10 pounds at a time and feed it via a handful tossed on the ground once and sometimes twice a week. The birds that need it will eat more of it. Depending on egg shell quality is how you'd adjust amount given.

We run mixed age birds and roosters so don't ever purchase layer feed. We feed a grower or all flock/turkey feed if wanting more protein. One feed for all birds makes life simple. Simple is good.

 

[SusanD]

I bought some layer feed today to mix with the last of our grower feed. I have having second thoughts though due to the maturity of our birds (around 19-20 weeks). The Welsummer is squatting, had a reddish comb and seems normal size, the RIR has only squatted for me once, has a red comb, and seems a little on the petite side, and the Langshan has never squatted that I'm aware of, has a pale comb, and also seems on the petite side. The only compelling reason I can see to start the layer feed would be to give them enough calcium in their bodies to help them produce their first egg or two. Will giving them layer feed at this stage hurt the less mature birds? If so, I will try oystershell and will hold off on the layer feed for a few more weeks.

Here are some pictures of them, in case that helps in determining maturity level.

 

[Ashley Pederson]

I ended up mixing the layer feed with the last bit of my developer feed and it seems to have gone fine. A new chicken had started laying each week with four out of my five now laying consistently. I haven't noticed any negative signs from the chickens who hadn't started laying. I also asked a very knowledgable woman at my local feed store if it would hurt them and she said it wouldn't.

 

[Den in Penn]

Extra calcium in the diet isn't a drop dead immediate problem. It is a longer term problem in adults, with a scarring of the kidneys and possible kidney stone development. At the age yours are and with most of them laying I see no reason not to start the layer.