When to move onto layer feed?

[BellaBokBok]

They are 15 weeks old and Roast who is the slightly older one's comb is coming along nicely, and I'm getting keen for some eggs in a few weeks! They are ISA browns or commercial browns I'm not sure but I've got about enough feed to fill the feeder one more time and I was wondering if I should just go ahead and get some layer feed?
Maybe I should just mix grower and layer feed together?

 

[defenestration]

Layer feed is generally fed from week 20 on. The main reason for the switch is the increased minerals (calcium, mostly) that egglaying consumes. It's useless (and in fact, somewhat harmful) to feed layer before they start laying.

 

[BellaBokBok]

Okay, thank you!

 

[HouseCat]

If you get some oyster shell and put it out for them "free choice", it won't matter if you ever switch them to layer feed. All my laying hens get Flock raiser or some other low/no calcium feed. If they have oyster shell available, it isn't necessary to sneak calcium into their diet.
just my 2 cents.
hc

 

[Loghousemom]

When you put out the oyster shell, how do you feed it? I am fairly certain this is what I want to do, but was thinking this would require a separate feeder.

Right now, I have 5 hens and 1 rooster. I have a large hanging feeder. I thought I would get a second feeder to hang with the oyster shell so next spring when I let the ladies hatch a brood the babies won't get into it.

 

[HouseCat]

I have a seperate feeder in the coop as well as sprinkling it on the ground outside the coop like you would chicken scratch. Either will work. It will deteriorate or "melt" if it gets wet/rained on and you'll have to throw down more.