When do I switch feeds?

[jlholm]

Thank you all for the help and clarification! I knew I was in the right place here!
I'm sure that as a newbie to chickens I will have a lot more questions and great answers from the people here at BYC!

 

[WhiteLeghorn2]

Thank you all for the help and clarification! I knew I was in the right place here!
I'm sure that as a newbie to chickens I will have a lot more questions and great answers from the people here at BYC!

No problem!

We're here to help! Any questions just ask!

 

[WhiteLeghorn2]

Just to be clear about a couple things. Grit and oyster shell are 2 different things. Both are to be offered separately from the feed.
All ages of birds need insoluble grit to aid in grinding up their food.
Oyster shell is soluble and breaks down quickly in the acidic environment of a chicken's gut. Oyster shell is a superior source of calcium because of it's large particle size. Only laying hens need oyster shell.

I still wouldn't feed layer feed until the birds start laying. You don't know when a pullet will start laying especially this time of year. If a pullet turns 18 weeks in say November and doesn't start laying till days get longer in March and you started feeding layer in November, that's 5 months of excessive calcium they can't avoid.

Yes, grit and oyster shell are very different. However, it all depends of personal preference. Some keepers like to feed only grit to avoid calcium overdose, but on the other hand, some people prefer to give oyster shells to assist their hens need for calcium for laying eggs.

We personally use oyster shells for our hens, but we only have 6 of them, and they are all laying. If we had roosters, we would feed them all regular grit. We used grit while they were growing pullets, but once they all were about 22 weeks old we switched the whole flock to oyster shells. As I said, depends of preference, we just like the oyster shells. Thanks for your input, God bless!

 

[jeds chickens]

My chickens are 20 weeks and I still give them chick starter non medicated. I do give them oyster shells. We are switching to layer feed in a week or two. My four chickens all lay four eggs a day without layer feed.

 

[WhiteLeghorn2]

My chickens are 20 weeks and I still give them chick starter non medicated. I do give them oyster shells. We are switching to layer feed in a week or two. My four chickens all lay four eggs a day without layer feed.

That's actually not a good idea. Chick starter helps birds from 0 to 8 weeks grow. At 8 or 9 weeks they should start eating grower food. Then at 18 to 20 weeks you should start with layer feed. If I were you I'd try to start feeding layer soon, especially if they are already laying. Good luck!

 

[jeds chickens]

Thats funny because the bag said feed until 22 weeks. When I go shopping I will get layer feed.

 

[WhiteLeghorn2]

Thats funny because the bag said feed until 22 weeks. When I go shopping I will get layer feed.

Oh ok, then maybe it's a mixture of the two. If the bad says feed until 22 weeks, then it is totally safe.

 

[jeds chickens]

I read that layer feed has enough calcium so I don't need oyster shells or else they get calcium overdose. Have you had experience?

 

[Makomd]

Actually a lot of folks feed their adult chickens a non medicated starter with calcium available as needed. Just a matter of getting them extra protein not found in the layer.

 

[WhiteLeghorn2]

I read that layer feed has enough calcium so I don't need oyster shells or else they get calcium overdose. Have you had experience?

Yes the feed does have enough calcium, however I haven't had a problem with oysters. Grit is just as good.