when do you transition to layer feed?

[The Happster]

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.

That's very interesting.
My previous cockerels also have only lived about 4-5 years. And I wondered if it was the calcium.
I can only get layers pellets and chick feed where I am. I haven't been able to find all-flock raiser. Actually, I have a hen who isn't laying that I was worried about too. She stopped laying at a year old, and I had nothing to feed her but layers.
I asked my dad to try and find some all-flock in England, but he didn't manage to find any. I don't think he knew what he was looking for.
However he did get me some growers for my younglings. I was wondering if it would be better to feed my cockerels & hen that isn't laying that. I know it has higher protein, but surely that would be better than the calcium?
I do get very attached to my boys.

 

[GC-Raptor]

However he did get me some growers for my younglings. I was wondering if it would be better to feed my cockerels & hen that isn't laying that. I know it has higher protein, but surely that would be better than the calcium?
I do get very attached to my boys

A Non-Medicated Grower feed is fine. If it has 16 to 20% Protein.
I prefer a feed with 18 to 20% Protein.
I buy a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower 18% to feed my hens (23 months old), with Oyster Shells separately.
I'll also buy an All-Flock Crumble 20% if it's on sale or the Starter-Grower isn't available.
The Starter-Grower is a dollar cheaper than the All-Flock Crumble for a 50 lb bag. GC

 

[CHlCKEN]

when do you transition to layer feed? Before they lay or when they start to lay

Simply when the first egg appears. You could also just feed flock raiser, but you have to make sure your hens are eating the oyster shells. Mine don’t so I have to make sure I give them milk, crushed egg shells, and buy a layer feed with lots of calcium for them. I have to many soft shells right now but we’re trying to up our game with calcium benefits

 

[The Happster]

A Non-Medicated Grower feed is fine. If it has 16 to 20% Protein.
I prefer a feed with 18 to 20% Protein.
I buy a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower 18% to feed my hens (23 months old), with Oyster Shells separately.
I'll also buy an All-Flock Crumble 20% if it's on sale or the Starter-Grower isn't available.
The Starter-Grower is a dollar cheaper than the All-Flock Crumble for a 50 lb bag. GC

Right! Thanks!
So I might do that, then. I'd feel much happier knowing they weren't eating all that calcium.

 

[GC-Raptor]

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.

You could also use a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower feed 18% Protein, that's what I feed my hens (23 months old). It's readily available, but only available in a Crumble.
I like Nutrena Naturewise and Purina. At my local TSC the Nutrena is a 50 lb bag, the Non-Medicated Purina is 25 lbs.
There are many brands of Starter-Grower available at TSC, from Regular and Non-GMO to Organic. GC

 

[neo71665]

A lot of times in rural areas there are options they just don't advertise like chain stores do. I know of 2 feed stores around me off the beaten path. Unless you know about them you can drive right by them without knowing. You might post in your state thread and see if somebody local to you can help you out.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

Those companies charge an arm and a leg for the feed.

Yes they do but if you don’t have a local feed supply to pick feed up from and you have to order from???? That’s what she was asking that is why we were telling. I use my personal local feed store whenever possible.

 

[LizzzyJo]

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.

Mine are on all flock. If you have any farm stores near you they generally have a store brand all flock for cheap.
Mine have never liked oyster shell but I think it’s because they free range often and don’t need it.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's very interesting.
My previous cockerels also have only lived about 4-5 years. And I wondered if it was the calcium.
I can only get layers pellets and chick feed where I am. I haven't been able to find all-flock raiser. Actually, I have a hen who isn't laying that I was worried about too. She stopped laying at a year old, and I had nothing to feed her but layers.
I asked my dad to try and find some all-flock in England, but he didn't manage to find any. I don't think he knew what he was looking for.
However he did get me some growers for my younglings. I was wondering if it would be better to feed my cockerels & hen that isn't laying that. I know it has higher protein, but surely that would be better than the calcium?
I do get very attached to my boys.

I feed my bantam flock a non medicated starter grower year round because it's a crumble. They do well on it, so you can just keep yours on it, and put out a dish of oyster shells for the laying hens.

 

[SnootyHen]

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.

I was stressed about this too. I have 7 pullets and only 1 is laying so far. 2 are about to start any day. I had read so many people say they will just eat it and magically that's what happened! My layer helps herself to the oyster shells. The 2 about to start have recently taken an interest in it. The rest check it out and keep right on going. It's crazy but it works!