What would be the best option to feed my 16 week old layers? I free range them most of the time. I have them on grower now but wondering if I should switch them to layer feed yet and if they need oyster shells or some other supplement?
Sure, put out the oyster shell. Perhaps they'll pick at it. There's nothing special or magical about Layer. It is just your Grower with the calcium ground in for convenience. Make sure your Grower is good quality and if you wish, switch to a Grower with 16-18-20% protein, your choice and preference. The value of feeding everyone a good Grower or an All Flock type feed is that everyone from chicks, to pullets, to laying hens to cockerels can all eat it without any problems. Simple, simple.
Most people advise to start feeding layer when they start to lay and offer supplemental oyster shell. While they will have a varied and healthy diet because they're out free ranging, the feed will ensure they get what they need to lay optimum eggs with healthy shells. Calcium is usually hard to get in sufficient quantities in someone's yard/farm so supplementing with the oyster shell is important. If you are worried about cost, check out the fermented feed threads. Wet feed presents less lost to beak flinging, fermented feed offers more availability of nutrition with less quantity, and many add up to 50% by volume of cheaper whole grains. Birds are bright eyed, shiney, active and healthy. Many that have tried fermented feed say more so than when on regular feed.
Personally I would stick with the grower. Just supplement with calcium. The free range birds wont eat as much as caged birds and when they do it helps to have a little extra protein. Like Fred's Hen wrote - it's good too because all ages can eat it, no need to buy different feeds for different ages.
