when to start feeding my 17 weeks old rhode island reds layer rations

[blueseal]

some say 18 weeks some say different. what everyones opinon.

 

[chicmom]

Since yours are 17 weeks, just wait until you're ready to buy more food, then get the layer feed.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I agree. Your pullets are virtually on the edge. If you want, you can begin to offering crushed shells on the side. When you buy your next bag(s) of feed, you can safely buy layer.

 

[blueseal]

thats about what i thought . i still have a half a bag of grower left. i was just wondering if they should stay on grower until they start filling out there combs and wattles and they get red.

 

[jenesis536]

I was told "when you get the first egg" but we were running out last week of the grower so I started transitioning mine over the past week. They are 23 weeks old so I figure it's time anyway. We've been giving them egg shell in their food for the past month here and there plus scrambled eggs, produce, sunflower seeds, etc.

 

[nittanyxi]

I swiched mine to layer when they were around 17-18 weeks but the % of protien in layer is only like 15 or 16%.
for the winter I switched back to grower @ 20% protien and I get 12-15 eggs a day out of 17 hens (that includes a polish and 2 silkies and some other breeds that aren't the greatest layers). I just keep Oyster shells available to them since the grower is low in calcium. I plan on keeping them on the higher protien grower.