I have 7 10wk pullets and 8wk olds in the same pen. Later this summer I'll have a new group blending with them, 2mos younger with more EE's. The oldest are production hens and they will likely start laying prior to 20wks old. The rest are mixed but with a lot of EE's in there which I understand mature and lay fairly late, well beyond 25wks.
My gut tells me to keep feeding unmedicated starter until the last group reaches at least 15 weeks but that means I'll have laying hens eating starter feed. Is that harmful for them to eat it other than needing oyster shell (that I'll provide separately)? What about the EE's, is it hard on their bodies to switch to layer feed before they begin to lay? confused.....
My gut tells me to keep feeding unmedicated starter until the last group reaches at least 15 weeks but that means I'll have laying hens eating starter feed. Is that harmful for them to eat it other than needing oyster shell (that I'll provide separately)? What about the EE's, is it hard on their bodies to switch to layer feed before they begin to lay? confused.....
