when do you transition to layer feed?

[middle TN Nancy]

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.

No we don’t have Agway - I’ve never heard of it. We have local a Farm and Feed store, Our county farm co-op, and in the next county a Tractor Supply and of course their county co-ops and feed stores. I’ll just keep calling around.

 

[rosemarythyme]

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?

No we don’t have Agway - I’ve never heard of it. We have local a Farm and Feed store, Our county farm co-op, and in the next county a Tractor Supply and of course their county co-ops and feed stores. I’ll just keep calling around.

Grower is a perfectly acceptable alternative to all flock. It's really about looking at the nutrition panel on the bag and not focusing too much on the name, as different manufacturers label their feeds differently. Grower, all flock, flock raiser, hatch to hen are all often very similar, even many starter feeds are suitable to feed all ages of chickens. You're just looking for something that's lower in calcium than layer (i.e. 1% vs 4%) and with protein somewhere between 17-20%.

 

[middle TN Nancy]

Thanks. That makes sense

 

[drinkoj]

Hope you don't mind if I piggy back on the thread. Can someone tell me if these two brands nutritional stats are comparable?
https://www.southernstates.com/cata...uthern-states-flock-balancer-20-booster-50-lb

https://www.purinamills.com/chicken-feed/products/detail/purina-flock-raiser-pellets

Have a Southern States closer to the house, plus it's cheaper than Purina at TSC .

 

[rosemarythyme]

Hope you don't mind if I piggy back on the thread. Can someone tell me if these two brands nutritional stats are comparable?

Looks very similar, so should be fine using whichever you prefer.

 

[Paul Richardson]

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

I have read all the replies now i will give you my 50 years of having chooks start with chicken crumbles for around 6 weeks switch to growers untill they are 20 to 22 weeks then go for a good quality layer pellet from then on, growers mix has to much protien in it to keep the pullets on past laying and can damage there liver a scientific fact never keep your roosters on growers past 20 weeks as they are very prone to liver damage from high protein they say even layer pellets have to much protein for them but there is not much you can do when they run with the flock.

 

[Chickenclaude]

TSC - in store luck is always a toss up. You maybe able to order online and find what you exactly want. Amazon usually has it and Chewy.com will have it but the delivery to where you are located is when and where is what the issue will be.

Chewey is a GREAT company to work with!

 

[RoosterML]

Feed bags have labels..... it’s pretty easy just follow them.

 

[mtnlady621]

I started layer feed at 18 weeks. I always have done this, with crushed eggshells and oyster shell on the side. Never a problem.

 

[Nursemaryk1]

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

Where would you suggest to purchase Feed?