What to feed?

[Peneliva]

Hi there.

I currently have a 4 1/2 month old Marans and a 5 month old EEgger. I've been feeding them Dumor Laying crumbles since I picked them up(5 days ago). Is this okay? They are able to scratch and pick in my yard. We have a chicken tractor.

I'm all about nutrition but I'm overwhelmed with information. Do I need to feed anything else? Someone just tell me and I'll go buy it lol.

 

[Percheron chick]

They are within a few weeks of laying so straight layer if fine. They would enjoy some variety though. You can add kitchen scraps that would normally end up in the compost like lettuce, fruit, most vegetable, bread and egg shells. Just limit it to what they can clean up in about 10 minutes so you don't drop the Ca, protein and calories to where you don't get the eggs. Hopefully they will like the same stuff you like.

You don't need to add grit or oyster shells. The dirt they scratch in will give them a source of grit and the layer will have enough Ca to make strong shells. The egg shells are free so I would go ahead and add those.

 

[Peneliva]

They're not gonna lay until like 6-7 months right?

And thanks! I'll add some variety in for them

 

[Percheron chick]

My EEs have started anywhere between 20 and 26 weeks. Probably has to do with what they were originally crossed with as the brown or white egg layer. My only Marans are 10 weeks old but they are classified as a laying breed so they should start in that same window.