Transitioning to Layer Crumble

[Coop’s Coop]

My chicks are 12-14 weeks old. I have been using Purina Starter Medicated. I am almost out of it. Should I go ahead and switch to Layer Crumble? I was looking at Purina Layena Crumbles with Oyster.

 

[sylviethecochin]

You probably don't want to give them calcium for another month yet. Too much calcium can damage their kidneys. I'd stick with starter for now.

 

[Coop’s Coop]

You probably don't want to give them calcium for another month yet. Too much calcium can damage their kidneys. I'd stick with starter for now.

Medicated or non medicated? I’ve been using medicated.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Medicated or non medicated? I’ve been using medicated.

I don't really have a preference, except in price. Have they been exposed to coccid?

 

[karissapaul]

Are they fully feathered???

 

[LittleMissCountry]

Mine are 14 weeks, and I had the same issue of running out of the chick starter. I was also using medicated. I was advised by others on here to either get a starter/grower combo non medicated, or a grower feed. I ended up buying starter/grower, since it was all our feed store had, and when they reach 18 weeks, I can offer oyster shell to supplement calcium until they run out of the feed, or I can mix the feed gradually with the layer feed until it is gone.

 

[cholland]

Starter/grower is just higher protein. They will be fine with it. Just provide oyster shell, they will eat what they need. Another option is an all flock feed with oyster on the side.

 

[Coop’s Coop]

Are they fully feathered???

Yes. They have been in the coop for awhile.

 

[PirateGirl]

I would not feed layer until they are actually laying. If you transition too soon, I have read that the drop in protein can actually delay the start of laying in addition to the excess calcium being bad for the kidneys as others have mentioned.

 

[karissapaul]

Yes. They have been in the coop for awhile

You should switch if they are in the coop.