My chicks/pullets are now 5 and 4 weeks old (2 batches) 42 all together. I was reading the Storey's Raising Chickens book, but it is not clear to me at what age you are supposed to change from the Chick Start/Grower to Pullet Grower/Developer. I have been free feeding my birds and they have been growing very quickly.
There were 2 things said that I don't quite get and was hoping someone could shed some light on it for me.
"Restricting the feed intake of pullets past the age of 4 weeks slows growth and delays the onset of laying, causing them to do better as layers and/or breeders. But because they spend less time eating, they have more time to get bored and nervous, and may pull each other's feathers or otherwise engage in cannibalism.
To prevent these problems, do not limit the total amount you feed. Instead, when layer pullets reach 8 weeks of age, gradually add oats until you achieve a balance of about 50/50, and continue free choice."
First it refers to 4 weeks, but doesn't say to do anything because it could cause ill effects in behavior and second jumps to 8 weeks where you modify the feed with oats. They go on to say:
"At about 18 weeks (20 weeks for heavier breeds), gradually reduce to oats and switch from grower or developer ration to 18% lay ration. Do not switch to lay ration to soon --- its high calcium content may interfere with bone formation, resulting in weak legs, kidney damage, and possible death."
1. Since my birds are 5 and 4 weeks old, do I need to change their diet now and if so to what?
2. When do I change to Pullet Grower/Developer and how long do I use that and do I feed a specific amount?
3. When do I change to Lay Ration...and do I control the amount of feed they eat?
I hope this makes sense.
Thank you for your help.
There were 2 things said that I don't quite get and was hoping someone could shed some light on it for me.
"Restricting the feed intake of pullets past the age of 4 weeks slows growth and delays the onset of laying, causing them to do better as layers and/or breeders. But because they spend less time eating, they have more time to get bored and nervous, and may pull each other's feathers or otherwise engage in cannibalism.
To prevent these problems, do not limit the total amount you feed. Instead, when layer pullets reach 8 weeks of age, gradually add oats until you achieve a balance of about 50/50, and continue free choice."
First it refers to 4 weeks, but doesn't say to do anything because it could cause ill effects in behavior and second jumps to 8 weeks where you modify the feed with oats. They go on to say:
"At about 18 weeks (20 weeks for heavier breeds), gradually reduce to oats and switch from grower or developer ration to 18% lay ration. Do not switch to lay ration to soon --- its high calcium content may interfere with bone formation, resulting in weak legs, kidney damage, and possible death."
1. Since my birds are 5 and 4 weeks old, do I need to change their diet now and if so to what?
2. When do I change to Pullet Grower/Developer and how long do I use that and do I feed a specific amount?
3. When do I change to Lay Ration...and do I control the amount of feed they eat?
I hope this makes sense.
Thank you for your help.
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