When To Start Giving Chickens Table Scraps and Switch To Egg Laying Food

[faithtomlinson]

Hi eveyone! I have 20 11 week old chicks and i am just not sure when to start feeding them table scraps. With my old flock the hens were already 40 weeks old, so i wasn't worried. I have been giving the chick food and grit like they told me too. I let them eat the grass and pick at stuff on the ground, but i don't know if now is a good age to start giving table scraps. My second question is when should i transition the 11 week old chicks from chick starter food to hen food and egg laying supplement food. Hope everyone has a nice day!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I don't switch to layer until they actually begin laying. Some people switch earlier, according to the feed directions (usual instructions say 16-18 weeks to start).

 

[Rakaiachick]

I would of thought you could give a small amount of table scraps now. Should not be more than 10% of their diet. I would start layer pallets when they start laying

 

[GC-Raptor]

I start giving treats at 10 weeks. But my pullets have been treating themselves by eating grass, weeds, bugs, and worms when I put them outside at 5 weeks.
They have Chick Grit since 2 weeks.
I offer Poultry Grit in a separate container at 7 weeks.

Layers feed, I start mixing 50/50 with Chick Starter when Pullets show signs of point of lay behavior. Swollen Red Combs and Wattles, squatting when you put your hand over them.
Fidgety behavior and checking nest boxes, they are very close.
My 7 Barred Rocks started to lay at 20 weeks, all were laying by 23 weeks.
Anyway I wouldn't start switching till 18 weeks by mixing 50/50 with Chick Starter.
However you can put out a separate container of Oyster Shells at 16 weeks in case a Pullet decides to lay sooner, like some sex-links.
My Golden Comets started to lay at 16.5 weeks, all were laying by 19 weeks.

I haven't fed Layers feed in 2 years. I feed a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower or a All-Flock feed 18/20% with Oyster Shells separately. GC

 

[Ted_Harrell]

Mrs. Faith, what type of chickens are yours?