When to start adult chicken feed?

[Smccau3]

I have searched through the forums for an answer to this but I keep seeing a lot of different answers.

I have 4 7-week old hens. They are being moved outside tomorrow and I was wondering when we were supposed to start them on the adult pellets.

They have been on starter/grower since we got them. Does moving them have anything to do with changing food or is it all about when they start laying eggs?

 

[Kevin565]

You really shouldn't start layers until a little bit before they're about to start laying. With ducks we usually switch over at about 6 months

 

[fried green eggs]

Chickens need layer formula feed which has added calcium when they start getting near egg production. I was told by a old chicken farmer to wait until the my first egg is produced by any of the chicks then switch feed. I was told by a vet to change to layer formula feed at 18 weeks of age. Also remember to add free choice Oyster shells when they start laying. Good luck.

 

[redstarmama]

We started our hens between 17 and 18 weeks because Red Stars start to lay early. My next batch is a mix of breeds and we will start them on pellets around 20 weeks unless they start laying earlier.

 

[Smccau3]

Thank you so much for your help! I guess well keep them on the starter/grower for a while longer.

What about scratch? I've read that it should just be a treat. I I've my girls a lot of fruits and veggies, and they will be (sort of) free range. Do I need to give them scratch also?

 

[redstarmama]

I gave mine scratch at first just to get them trained to come running when I called to put them up for the night. They are over a year old now and they get most of my kitchen scraps and leftovers. They also have the run of one of my compost areas. They love the worms and I love not turning all of that heavy stuff!