when do you transition to layer feed?

[IamRainey]

I'm with oldhenlikesdogs. It's not only easier, it's safer when you have birds of various genders/ages/species.

I have no idea if TSC has it. I don't deal with them. I prefer small independent feed stores. But check the tag on the bag! One of those small independents sold me layer feed for months when I went in over and over asking for all-flock. When I found out what I had been feeding my rooster I didn't know whether to be madder at them or myself.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have done ALOT of researching and reading and this method is what most of the so called “experts” say to do.

Feeding this way is easier. You put out one ration. You don't need to worry about chicks or roosters consuming extra calcium from a layer ration. You don't need to worry about switching when pullets mature, or older hens go out of production. You just put out your feed.

Layer is a one size fits all type of ration which can be fine if you keep a higher production breed only, and you don't add extras which can dilute the daily protein intake.

Most heritage breeds don't lay daily, so they can get too much calcium from a layer. Usually you will see calcium deposits on eggs when they get too much calcium.

 

[middle TN Nancy]

Thanks everybody. I want to switch them to all flock or flock raiser as soon as I can find it. I’m in a very rural area and options are somewhat limited.

 

[Mistizoom]

Generally after they begin laying as you don't want them consuming extra calcium that's in the layer ration.

I personally never feed layer. I either stay with a non medicated starter grower or an All Flock ration depending on who I'm feeding. I keep separate bowls of oyster shells out and they consume them as necessary.

This is what I plan to do, our chickens are 16 weeks old and aren't laying yet, but we plan to keep a rooster so I don't want to switch to layer for his health. I'm just worried they won't eat the oyster shell for some reason, though we haven't even put it out yet! Glad to hear the starter/grower or All Flock plus oyster shell works for you.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Those that need the oyster shell will usually eat it.

 

[IamRainey]

I’m in a very rural area and options are somewhat limited.

I would imagine in a rural area you would have more options than those of us in urban areas like Los Angeles! Sometimes you just have to look around and then you start to see the things that were always there but just flying under your radar when you weren't interested.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

This is what I plan to do, our chickens are 16 weeks old and aren't laying yet, but we plan to keep a rooster so I don't want to switch to layer for his health. I'm just worried they won't eat the oyster shell for some reason, though we haven't even put it out yet! Glad to hear the starter/grower or All Flock plus oyster shell works for you.

They don't always eat a lot of the oyster shells, but they will consume it as necessary. I'm sure they get cravings similar to our own. My roosters used to die by 4 years when I fed a layer. Now some make it to 8-10 years old.

 

[middle TN Nancy]

I would imagine in a rural area you would have more options than those of us in urban areas like Los Angeles! Sometimes you just have to look around and then you start to see the things that were always there but just flying under your radar when you weren't interested.

 

[middle TN Nancy]

You would think! But once again, this is a VERY small rural community and I assure you that options can be very limited. l often have to search farther afield to find what I need.

 

[mr_honking_goose]

Do you have an Agway? That's where I get my critter food. I use a grower/finisher pellet. Everyone loves it, even the chickens.