What to expect next?

[jtn42248]

OK. So I am out putting my birds to bed for the evening. The chickens are in and the ducks are in and I am putting the geese away when I hear a ruckus in the hen's coop. I look in through one of the windows and my "Little Dude" (the hen that turned in to a rooster) is having his way with one of the Silver Laced Wyandottes. I have noticed that the hens faces are getting pretty red...like they fell face first in a pot of red makeup. I think this is a sign of maturing. If my rooster is now mating with his harem should I expect they may begin to lay eggs early (16-17 weeks instead of 20)? Should I change their feed to Layer at this point and/or begin giving them oyster shell? I know that mating and egg laying are not reliant on one another but don't want their nutrition to fall short either.

 

[iwiw60]

Gee, I'd be tempted to start with the layer feed from the sounds of what's going on in your flock....best of luck!!

 

[centrarchid]

Continue grower feed until onset of lay, then make switch to layer diet. You can have oyster shell available free-choice year round without ill effects and the consumption of it will increase with need. Even if oyster or calcium is not provided initially the females store enough calcium in their bones for the better part of a clutch before you need to step in with calcium and phosphorus supplementation.

 

[Mrs. K]

I am trying to jinx you the right way, so hopefully I will be wrong.

But it is really like watching that baby that is almost walking, standing there, not hanging on, hanging on, almost a step, sits down and crawls.... it seems like they are ready long before they do it.

soon you will have eggs, but I am betting you are 2-3 weeks out yet...... so hopefully the jinx will work. As for feed, when I ran out of this bag, I would buy a bag of layer feed, but not before that. Layer feed will be good for hens in the LONG run, in the short term a couple of weeks on chick starter is not going to damage them.... or a couple of weeks on layer before they start won't either.

Mrs K

 

[donrae]

Continue grower feed until onset of lay, then make switch to layer diet. You can have oyster shell available free-choice year round without ill effects and the consumption of it will increase with need. Even if oyster or calcium is not provided initially the females store enough calcium in their bones for the better part of a clutch before you need to step in with calcium and phosphorus supplementation.

x2

 

[jtn42248]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I have pretty much a 50 lb bag of Flock Raiser and will use that up. It will last a week and a half or so. I will put out oyster shell for those that choose to have it. In about two weeks I will start with the Layer feed...that will make them in the 18 to 19 week old range and should be o.k. All my breeds are supposed to mature around 20 weeks as it is. Right now my chickens, ducks and geese are all on the same feed (Purina Flock Raiser). Does anyone know if they can all go on the Layer feed as well? Also, how about that little rooster of mine. Will he be o.k. on the Layer feed or does he need his own diet?

 

[donrae]

I don't ever use layer feed, myself. I use all-in-one, similar to flock raiser. I have chickens of all ages and genders, plus a couple old useless drakes, so it's just the best option for me. I give my hens egg shells and oyster shell when I think of it and they do just fine. Layer feed isn't magical or necessary, it's just got the basic nutrients most hens need to get by and still be productive, with the extra calcium. You'll find folks on both sides of the "roosters on layer feed" debate, you just do some research and decide what's best for you.

 

[keesmom]

I also use a flock raiser type feed. I can give it to everyone from chicks to adults and the ducks.

 

[aart]

I don't ever use layer feed, myself. I use all-in-one, similar to flock raiser. I have chickens of all ages and genders, plus a couple old useless drakes, so it's just the best option for me. I give my hens egg shells and oyster shell when I think of it and they do just fine. Layer feed isn't magical or necessary, it's just got the basic nutrients most hens need to get by and still be productive, with the extra calcium. You'll find folks on both sides of the "roosters on layer feed" debate, you just do some research and decide what's best for you.

I also use a flock raiser type feed. I can give it to everyone from chicks to adults and the ducks.

Ditto!

It's just easier to buy/store/feed a flock raiser to all ages and genders of chickens, especially if you have multiple poultry types.
The higher protein of a flock raiser also balances out the lower protein scratch if you feed it, oyster and crushed egg shells in a separate container takes care of the layers calcium needs.

 

[centrarchid]

I use chick starter that is diluted with a range of whole grains. Different mixes are used for different feeding stations. Oyster shell is free-choice.