When switching feed, should I...

[cmjust0]

...introduce the new feed slowly by mixing it in with the old feed, or does it really matter very much with chickens? I'm used to dealing with dogs and goats where it very much does matter...switch a dog or goat's feed too quickly and they'll get GI upsets..

Also, at what age should I switch from starter/grower to laying feed? Will laying feed have any ill effect on cockerels? I ask because we haven't butchtered the boys yet, so we'll have cockerels and pullets eating the same feed..

ETA: Our chicks will be 13 weeks old this coming Monday. Time to switch to laying feed?

 

[ChickenToes]

It's better to slowly mix in the new feed.

Roosters will be just fine with layer feed. Switch them to layer around 20 weeks, or when they start laying.

 

[Heavy D]

I slowly changed to layer and had no issues.