What age do I switch from starter to grower then laying feed?

[chickens really]

I feed grower from 8 weeks on and never use layer..I provide oyster shell on the side in a separate dish.
Many breeds require higher protein than layer feed provides...

 

[GC-Raptor]

The small feed bags have directions on them. Large feed bags 20 to 50 pounds, the directions are on the large tag sewn to the bottom.
It will tell you the ages in weeks that the feed is designed for.
I have seen grower feeds that are 15 percent Protein.
I have never fed anything less than 18% Protein to growing chickens.
I fed a Starter/Grower that was 18%, till they were ready to lay. Then I switched to a 18% layers feed. My 5 hens are 21 months old and I am currently getting 22/25 eggs a week.
I believe 16% Protein is too low for a backyard flock from my personal experience.
18 to 20 percent Protein is ideal for day old chicks throughout adulthood, for a layers or duel purpose chicken, in my opinion.
If you can't get a 18 to 20% Protein layers feed, (I get mine from an independent feed and lumber) or if you have a mixed ages flock. An All Flock/Flock Raiser or an unmedicated Starter Grower that's 18/20% is good. Check the mill date on the bottom of the bag. Starter Grower sells quickly in the spring, and early fall, less so other times of year, in the snow belt.
Offer Oyster Shell in a separate container. GC

 

[GC-Raptor]

Don't use layer. This is why.

I use a layers pellet 18% Protein. I started to feed my 5 hens a layers feed at 16 weeks, mixing it 50/50 with a 18% Start & Grow for 2 weeks. Straight layers feed since then.
I got my first egg at 16 1/2 weeks, and all were laying by 19 weeks.
My 5 girls are 21 months and I'm currently getting 22/25 eggs a week.
I can get a 20% Protein layers pellet that has PORCINE, as well as the 18% layers feed, without animal protein that I'm currently feeding, from local independent feed stores.
If I couldn't get a layers feed with 18/20%. Then I would feed a All Flock with Oyster Shell on the side. GC

 

[Welshies]

I use a layers pellet 18% Protein. I started to feed my 5 hens a layers feed at 16 weeks, mixing it 50/50 with a 18% Start & Grow for 2 weeks. Straight layers feed since then.
I got my first egg at 16 1/2 weeks, and all were laying by 19 weeks.
My 5 girls are 21 months and I'm currently getting 22/25 eggs a week.
I can get a 20% Protein layers pellet that has PORCINE, as well as the 18% layers feed, without animal protein that I'm currently feeding, from local independent feed stores.
If I couldn't get a layers feed with 18/20%. Then I would feed a All Flock with Oyster Shell on the side. GC

Just know that layer feed is toxic to any non-laying hens, roosters, or chicks.

 

[Blooie]

“Toxic” is a little strong a word. One of the best chicken keepers I ever knew, and my mentor, was @Beekissed. Strongest, healthiest mixed flock I’ve ever seen - strong birds, gleaming plumage, excellent production and health, and she’s always fed layer to all of them with no issues. I just preferred to feed Grower or All Flock, not because I was afraid my chickens would drop dead from layer but because higher protein layer is hard to come by out here, so it made sense for my flock. Too many conflicting studies about feeding to do anything else but what was right for my situation.

 

[jvls1942]

Eggsighted said that you will see many opinions. I agree..
it just goes to show that it doesn't make much difference what you do.
I would finish up what starter you are feeding, then go to whatever you feel you need.
I personally just start them out on a mix of 50/50% of finely ground oats and corn and keep them on it..
someone accused me of abusing my chickens on that ration..
I am not a scientist and I am not about to try to guess what is the best feed for my chickens.
I raise broilers (cornishX) with this mixture too. I have never had a bow legged chicken or any that just up and had a heart attack. some years I raised 200 of them. most years I raised just 100 . lately, since it is just my wife and I. we buy butchered , unfrozen chickens from a small mom & pop grocery store..
I do not like the taste of chickens raised on crumbles. they taste like crumbles to me.. and they smell like crumbles when we butchered them.
I have been doing the 50/50 for about 50 years..
it works for me..
.........jiminwisc.......

 

[shadowfox]

I have 7 pullets who are 20 weeks old now. None are laying yet. They're on 16% protein start-n-grow and I've got 1-2 weeks worth of feed left. I'd rather not buy another bag if I don't have to. Here are the feed options from the local mill. I'm wondering which one would be best for continued feeding after laying and which I should use until they start laying.
16% start n grow
18% layer
22% layer
24% game bird feed (only other notable differences are 2xs the vitamin a as the layer feed and 1-2% calcium instead of the layer 4%)

Any suggestions or opinions?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have 7 pullets who are 20 weeks old now. None are laying yet. They're on 16% protein start-n-grow and I've got 1-2 weeks worth of feed left. I'd rather not buy another bag if I don't have to. Here are the feed options from the local mill. I'm wondering which one would be best for continued feeding after laying and which I should use until they start laying.
16% start n grow
18% layer
22% layer
24% game bird feed (only other notable differences are 2xs the vitamin a as the layer feed and 1-2% calcium instead of the layer 4%)

Any suggestions or opinions?

It depends on your goals and your breeds.

If your just eating eggs, the 18% layer is probably good.

If your breeding then 22% is said to give better hatch results.

24% MAX for heavy breed hens like Brahma IMO (and actually a great switch during MOLT)... In reality ladies will use ABOUT 4% calcium when they are ACTIVELY laying. So if your feed has only 2% you might wish to provide some oyster shell or that other kind (maybe ground limestone?), on the side.

How long have they been on 16% protein for? Do you free range or feed excess high calorie low nutrient snack on a regular basis.

All though we all like to rave about diminished protein delaying lay and blah blah ... the fact is that some larger breeds could benefit from some slowed development!

Seriously... fat birds don't make great reproducers/breeders. One reason why in ducks for example, it is recommended you reduce the protein rate during a certain growth phase.

In large breed dogs as well for joint and bone development.

I still don't prefer protein as low as 16%, but not all pastures, goals, and perspectives... including ideal of a "healthy" chicken are the same. Some people want to feed as cheep as possible while others want to feed as complete as possible. Yet some will want to be organic. I'm in the complete department. Nature is awesome but my stock numbers mean a whole ration will provide (my version) of "better" for my birds. I hatch and I raise... not for show, but for quality and health. I won't stand for raggedy looking feathers due to nutrition deficit (or bullies) It's about total management, including and more importantly probably genetics... but that isn't your issue!

Long story short... I would probably use the 18% layer out of the choices supplied. But I think you will be OK with any. Sometimes I even mix formulas if I can't find what I like.

 

[Welshies]

I have 7 pullets who are 20 weeks old now. None are laying yet. They're on 16% protein start-n-grow and I've got 1-2 weeks worth of feed left. I'd rather not buy another bag if I don't have to. Here are the feed options from the local mill. I'm wondering which one would be best for continued feeding after laying and which I should use until they start laying.
16% start n grow
18% layer
22% layer
24% game bird feed (only other notable differences are 2xs the vitamin a as the layer feed and 1-2% calcium instead of the layer 4%)

Any suggestions or opinions?

I would advise not to feed layer (https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/why-you-should-stop-feeding-layer-feed-now.73535/) and feet 20% grower. 16% protein isn't enough for growing birds, by the way.