When should I start to give my chicks Layer feed?

[ChickenCanoe]

You're right. All manufacturers will be different with the age of birds their feed is intended for and feed stores only carry what they think they can sell.

Good for you for finally reading the feeding instructions on the bag. No one knows what the feed mill put into the feed except the mill so one needs to read the bag.

Since you only have starter and layer available, stick with starter till they're laying. Those look like small bags. Don't they carry 40# or 50# bags?
Small bags are very pricey per pound.

 

[BruceAZ]

Do you really want to feed medicated chick starter?

i'm not feeding my chickens that.. just took the picture of the back for the 0-8 weeks part

this is what i'm feeding my chickens.. there's no grower feed here

so this starter feed until they are ready to lay then i'll switch over to this layer feed from the local buyer club.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

That Big Sky product looks pretty nice. How do you like it?

 

[Rock Home Isle]

And to make it even more exciting, here is another set of recommendations for feeding small scale/backyard poultry:

https://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/AG_Poultry_2008-02pr.pdf

I'd say just pick one and follow it....

 

[BruceAZ]

That Big Sky product looks pretty nice. How do you like it?

they are still eating the starter feed for now

the big sky layer feed is from this place

http://www.phoenixorganicfeed.com/prices.html

i just found out about them recently and ordered my first 50lb bag.. I will have to pick it up at a local nursery in june..

It's every 2 months-- so I'm not sure if 50lb is enough for 5 hens.. I have to see if my chickens will like them or not.

from the % of calcium.. i think i need to give them extra eggshell or oyster shell.. since 2.5-3.5% calcium might not be enough

wal-mart has layer feeds 40lb for $12.. but looking at the back (picture posted above).. i don't mind paying 2x more..since i want organic free range egg from my chickens

 

[Rock Home Isle]

You are definately getting a better product.

 

[BruceAZ]

You are definately getting a better product.

i'm not sure on this but for laying hen you need 16% protein.. since 15% might not be sufficient ??

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I was referring to the Big Sky feed.

 

[BruceAZ]

I know.

just curious between the % of protein

most layer feed out there have 16% but for some reason wal-mart has 15%..

some users told me that 15% might not be enough.. but does 1% really make a difference?

 

[junebuggena]

In addition to what has already been said, I want to throw this out there. You don't need to feed them layer at all. There is no magic ingredient in it that 'makes' them lay. If you like to give your birds treats or free range, layer feed might actually have a detrimental effect on laying. It's got barely enough protein in it for egg production, if fed as the sole source of nutrition. If you offer treats or scratch, that will reduce the overall amount of protein the birds are taking in, and can cause egg eating.