When do I give them layer feed and oyster shells?

[The ChickenKing]

My girls are about four months and so are my neighbours', and they just got their first egg and one of mine are showing signs too, so should I start giving them layer feed and oyster shells or should I wait? Any help is appreciated

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'd put out oyster shell in a separate container and then switch to layer when they're all laying. Egg farms switch when 5% are laying but with their lighting program, they can assure they'll all be laying in a couple weeks. They also don't care if some die since they have 50,000 birds.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I'd put out oyster shell in a separate container and then switch to layer when they're all laying. Egg farms switch when 5% are laying but with their lighting program, they can assure they'll all be laying in a couple weeks. They also don't care if some die since they have 50,000 birds.

X2 - or just don't switch. You can feed an all-flock type feed and oyster shell - this is especially helpful if you are raising chicks in the flock setting, have mixed ages, have roosters in the mix, etc as your all-flock/flock-raiser feed provides the nutritional needs of all the birds and the oyster shell provides the extra calcium needed be the actively laying hens.

 

[The ChickenKing]

Thanks

 

[Mountain Peeps]

It's recommended to wait until they are 18 weeks old. Provide oyster shell in a separate dish at that same age.

 

[The ChickenKing]

Thx