When do you go to layer feed?

[Chris09]

Quote:
It depends on the breed and weather or not you got them from a breeder or a hatchery.
I have breeding and show stock that the hens will get Red Comb and Wattles at 22 weeks but will not start to lay till 11 to 12 months old.
I never start feeding Layer feed till I get my first egg.

Chris

 

[Nicole01]

My oldest 3 are 20 weeks and the youngest 2 are 13 weeks. I will switch to layer when the youngest two are 20 weeks or laying if before. I seperate my older 3 and feed them oyster shell. Right now they are all eating unmedicated starter. They don't have flock raiser at the store where I buy my feed.

 

[pawsplus]

OK . . . Well, here's my concern. The 2 new pullets will be going in w/ the older girls after 30 days' q-tine when they will be around 13 weeks old. I obviously can't give them 2 kinds of feed and expect them to stick to the right one, LOL. I also may not be 100% when they start laying if the older girls start back up (they are currently molting and not laying).

What to do in this case?? There is oyster shell always available, BTW.

 

[JodyJo]

I am in this boat, I have 16 16 wk old pullets, and 3 6 week pullets...when they do integrate, they will have starter/grower, with oyster shell on the side.

I saw a poster said something about not eating eggs if the chicken ate medicated starter? Anyone have an opinion on this?

 

[pawsplus]

Quote:
See my question above. Haven't gotten many responses to it! I really need to know what to do. In 1.5 weeks I'll be putting the new girls in w/ the old girls. The new girls will be 12 weeks old--technically too young for layer feed. The old girls are laying again and NEED the layer feed. I can't put this off--as it is, the new girls have been stuck in a 48"x36" dog crate for the past 2+ weeks and I need to get them outta there.

Just go to layer pellets when they move? Is there any DANGER to the pullets from the extra calcium before they start laying?

 

[MIKE555444]

Quote:
This is my rule also

HOWEVER my pullets started laying at 16 weeks and i would not be to concerned about changing them over early