when to start layer feed

[Ridgerunner]

Quote:
You might try mixing the two feeds to see if they will learn to eat it that way. A lot of chickens seem to hate any change, but if they figure out it is really food, they may adjust.

Good luck!

 

[valentinebaby]

I did try combining...and to no avail. Guess they are set in their ways already! I will continue to leave it out, but not hopeful they will learn to like it. Thanks!

 

[samandramey]

so, i just bought some grower feed today and i'll use that for now. of course they get treats like grapes, watermelon, mealworms, leafy green stuff, ect. thanks, everyone! Valentinebaby- you think NHR not RIR, cause thats what they said she was and i dont believe them. either way she's the nicest one in the bunch!

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
I almost agree with this as written, but put a little twist on it. I don't start feeding it until the comb of pullets start to grow and redden. That's when the pullet is getting ready to lay and I've always found it's a quite short length of time in that process. Just enough time to gradually introduce a new feed. I start integrating it then so that the calcium gets in their system so that the first eggs are good. I also provide oyster shell at that time.

But despite feed bags, I only go by this sign as different birds do indeed mature at different rates. I don't believe at all in feeding laying feed (as some bags say to do) at 16-18 weeks, personally. I like for that body (and reproductive organs) to finish developing first, finish growing.

That way the pullet's body tells me what it needs.

 

[valentinebaby]

samandramey: hard to really tell if she is NHR or RIR - both are too closely related for me to tell from that pic since NHR was bred from RIR stock. Either way, both breeds tend to start laying earlier than most - at least that's what I've gathered from this site and from my own experience. I agree with the previous post re: the reddening of the combs/wattles: I added crushed oyster shell on the side when I started noticing changes in some of the girls. Those that need it will eat it. And when they start squatting for you - then you know you're really close! (Except for one of my EE's - she's in laying an egg right now, but has never squatted and hates to be touched!) Good luck!

Gail

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
I almost agree with this as written, but put a little twist on it. I don't start feeding it until the comb of pullets start to grow and redden. That's when the pullet is getting ready to lay and I've always found it's a quite short length of time in that process. Just enough time to gradually introduce a new feed. I start integrating it then so that the calcium gets in their system so that the first eggs are good. I also provide oyster shell at that time.

But despite feed bags, I only go by this sign as different birds do indeed mature at different rates. I don't believe at all in feeding laying feed (as some bags say to do) at 16-18 weeks, personally. I like for that body (and reproductive organs) to finish developing first, finish growing.

That way the pullet's body tells me what it needs.


Thanks, threehorses, that's a good plan that I will follow.

 

[kingme]

Is there an alternative to medicated starter/grower? I have the same issue here. I have some pullets that are 8 weeks and some that are about 14 weeks or so, might be older. So I want a good grower, but I don't want anything medicated. Is this correct? Seems around here there. Will the medicated feed taint the eggs?

 

[Fuzzbuttfarm]

I'm glad I saw this thread. We're between 14 and 16 weeks for the kids now, and they have one more container of starter feed to go into the feeder once they've finished the current ration.

So it looks like laying may well correspond with when I run out of the starter feed, and I'll transition them to the layer feed then

Or so it would seem...

I have the oyster shell ready for when the time comes.

 

[Fuzzbuttfarm]

Quote:
Just use some unmedicated starter. I used the one from Purina in a pinch and it was fine.

I don't know about tainted eggs, though.

 

[threehorses]

I use gamebird starter/grower for my flocks. And probiotics to help with the cocci issues as probiotics are not at all medicinal, just living bacteria. (Yogurt, Probios, etc). That's for birds under 5 months. At that time they get layer.

Then again, I've raised many many flocks of babies so I can catch coccidiosis before it really starts. Environment of brooder/growing pens are important too. Keep things very dry and clean, supplement weekly with probiotics, keep young birds with young birds, adults with adults, and you shouldn't have many issues.