What's the earliest I can feed layer?

[Sassafras]

I would definitely keep them on grower for another bag of feed. The majority of them won't lay for another approximately 5 weeks. I have a similar mix of hens and there was a huge range between when the first one and the rest of the crowd layed.

 

[gale65]

dh ended up getting 2 free bags of layer feed and filled the feeder with that. I told him I wanted to wait just a bit longer so when it was empty (it only holds about 3 or 4 lbs I am guessing) he got a bag of multi flock (which, btw, is pellets and not crumble like what we've been using) and filled it with that. I did put the layer in the bucket feeder for now but both are available. Once we get to laying age, we will probably feed the 2 bags of layer and then maybe switch back to multi flock with oyster shell on the side, or just stick with the layer crumbles. At any rate they are getting multi flock right now. One pullet seems to not like the pellets much but if she gets hungry enough, she'll eat it.

 

[someonewholoveschickens]

I have 8 chicks who live outside during the day but come in at night. 7 of them are ages 15-18 weeks and one is 5 or 6 months. We put out both chick feed and layer feed, but all the layers eat the chick feed. They are not laying as much anymore...is that a problem? Also, I don't know if the chicks are eating layer feed at all. They seem healthy (bright eyes, energetic, normal combs) but I read on the Internet that chicks can get calcium crystals in their kidneys and liver and die from eating layer feed, and the ones that do survive die early or don't lay for very long. Should I just feed everyone chick feed until the youngest chicks are 18 weeks? Some of them are hard-to-find breeds and I heard chickens can suddenly die if they eat layer feed too early. Should I worry about it?

 

[SourRoses]

@someonewholoveschickens Hi!
You should make a new thread because this one is very old, and you won't get the kind of good responses hidden under here that you would get from a fresh thread.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I have 8 chicks who live outside during the day but come in at night. 7 of them are ages 15-18 weeks and one is 5 or 6 months. We put out both chick feed and layer feed, but all the layers eat the chick feed. They are not laying as much anymore...is that a problem? Also, I don't know if the chicks are eating layer feed at all. They seem healthy (bright eyes, energetic, normal combs) but I read on the Internet that chicks can get calcium crystals in their kidneys and liver and die from eating layer feed, and the ones that do survive die early or don't lay for very long. Should I just feed everyone chick feed until the youngest chicks are 18 weeks? Some of them are hard-to-find breeds and I heard chickens can suddenly die if they eat layer feed too early. Should I worry about it?

the layers are eating chick feed because its markedly better quality feed nutritionally. That has nothing to do with rate of lay, however. "Layer" feed is a layer formulation becuase its the cheapest (in theory) mix suitable for sustaining adult layers, NOT because it makes chickens lay better. Again, NOT because it makes chickens lay better.

Chicks nutrtitional needs are higher, and their feed formulations result in better feed overall. The typical "All Flock" formulation many of us (self included) on BYC recommend using is much closer to chick feed than layer feed.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

@someonewholoveschickens Hi!
You should make a new thread because this one is very old, and you won't get the kind of good responses hidden under here that you would get from a fresh thread.

Is OK, I took pity, and offered a good answer.

 

[SourRoses]

Is OK, I took pity, and offered a good answer.

Yay! What would we do without you!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Yay! What would we do without you!

Someone else would step up.

 

[NatJ]

all the layers eat the chick feed. They are not laying as much anymore...is that a problem?

Hens eating chick feed is not a problem.

But laying hens do need more calcium than chicks.

So you should make sure they also have a good source of calcium, like a separate dish of oyster shell. Chickens are pretty good at eating the right amount of calcium when it is provided separately and not mixed with anything else.

If the hens do not get enough calcium, they will lay soft-shell eggs, which often break and get eaten by the chickens. So that is one way that hens can seem to lay fewer eggs, when they really are not.

It is common for hens to lay fewer eggs as the days get shorter in the fall and winter, and some stop entirely. So if they really are laying fewer eggs, that is one possible reason (if it is fall or winter where you live).