When should we switch to layer feed? Chickens are 14 weeks old.

[chickyman90]

I have golden buffs and was wondering when should I give them layer feed there about 14 weeks old

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I have golden buffs and was wondering when should I give them layer feed there about 14 weeks old

Welcome to BYC! If you are going to use layer feed, you should not start feeding it until 18 weeks or until the birds are actively laying.

 

[azygous]

There is no rule that says you are required to feed layer feed, you know. You can simply keep feeding an "all flock" feed and offer oyster shell on the side and your hens will lay exactly as well as they would on layer feed.

The advantage of this is that in the future, when you add more chicks to your flock, you won't have to endure the disruption of withholding layer feed until the chicks reach point of lay or trying to juggle two different kinds of feed and keeping the chicks away from the layer feed.

Besides, it's been my experience, hens like all flock feed much more than the taste of layer feed.

It's another option.

 

[dbuck]

I have the same question. Mine are 14 and 16 weeks and not sure to start them on layer feed yet.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Most feeds state on the bag not to start until 16-18 weeks. I picked up 12 16 week old red sex links 2 1/2 weeks ago & got my first egg today. I will be switching to layer pellets next week, as I'm tired of the crumbles that don't flow through the feeder when I'm away. Not much available in organic grower pellets, so I just supplement with my own meat.

 

[Kimberli]

My chickens are approximately10 wks old. Do I put them on a new feed now or stay with starter? Man at TS said it doesn't matter since they probably won't lay eggs by winter. I'm in southeast GA so need advice please.

 

[PapaChaz]

My chickens are approximately10 wks old. Do I put them on a new feed now or stay with starter? Man at TS said it doesn't matter since they probably won't lay eggs by winter. I'm in southeast GA so need advice please.

they'll start laying at about 20 weeks, give or take. the man at TS doesn't know what he's talking about. 10 weeks now, and 10 weeks from now is mid august, you should start getting eggs.

As mentioned above, you don't really have to feed layer feed, just switch them over to an all flock, flock grower, etc and provide oyster shell and/or other calcium. No worries about chickens getting what they don't need. Don't have to worry about roosters getting layer pellets/crumbles.......

No offense meant to the guy at TS, but just because he works at a farm store doesn't mean he knows a lot about farming......

 

[Kimberli]

I was thinking he didn't know. My husband laughed when I told him what the TS man said. Thanks.

 

[Den in Penn]

In defense of the all those feed store employees out there, he may just have miss heard you. If you call you 10 week olds, chicks, not pullets, and if he missed the age. Then the newly hatched chicks would not reach laying age until November. Which means he would think they may well wait to start next year.

 

[silkwormlady]

Getting confused. Is there basically grower feed, for chickens up until they get to be laying age and then a layer feed? Seems like I'm hearing different names, but is it really only two kinds?