When to switch feed from grower to layer?

[pdnarus10]

I put mine in a flower pot (5-ish inch diameter), and only fill it halfway. That way they can't scratch it out or rake it out with their beaks. It's wedged against a wall and between a couple of bricks so they can't knock it over either. The calcium (eggshell) pot is inside the coop where it can stay dry. Both eggshell and oyster shell can smell really bad if they get wet. My grit is in the run, in a similar pot. And because the pot has a drainage hole, the water drains out if the grit gets rained on, so it doesn't turn into rock soup. And because it's just rocks, it doesn't care if it gets wet.

That's a great idea! Thanks

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do you also have grit on the side? My problem is they keep knocking the bowl over w the grit. I ordered a feeder to put grit in. I hope that will solve the problem Can I add it to the shells or should they both be separate?

Grit (for digestion) and calcium should be separate, as they are not taken in for the same purposes. A secured dispenser of any type will work, i.e. I use parrot cups:

 

[K0k0shka]

Do you also have grit on the side? My problem is they keep knocking the bowl over w the grit. I ordered a feeder to put grit in. I hope that will solve the problem Can I add it to the shells or should they both be separate?

Yes, I always have grit as well, in a separate container. I have it in a corner against the wall of the coop, with bricks stacked around it so the chickens can't knock it over. It's best to keep grit, calcium, and feed separate, in separate containers, so the chickens can see clearly what it is they're eating, and regulate themselves as needed.

 

[pdnarus10]

Grit (for digestion) and calcium should be separate, as they are not taken in for the same purposes. A secured dispenser of any type will work, i.e. I use parrot cups:

View attachment 4022273

That's a wonderful idea. Thank you. I'm gonna get some parrot cups, wow

 

[Bawkbok]

We feed an all flock - in the past when I fed layer feed, it seemed to cause a dietary imbalance and some just refused to eat it, others sort of just picked through it and never ate it with any enthusiasm. I gave away 45lbs of a 50lb bag of layer feed just to get rid of it before it spoiled. They all love the all flock and I know no one is going hungry.
Always have oyster shell and grit available at all times.

Our initial pullets purchased from a local farmer at 12 weeks of age already had them on layer feed and told us to continue with that. Being new to chickens and not knowing better, I followed those instructions. One of those birds only lived 3 weeks after we brought it home, assuming it had health issues, never seemed right, could have been from the inadequate nutrition or the over crowding situation or both. The other pullet experienced a sudden death and I found it in the nest that way one morning. Have no idea what was wrong. I attributed some of the issues to the feed causing improper development. From now on, I only feed all flock from the grower feed.

 

[pdnarus10]

Thank you. I will do that and add crushed egg shells, oyster shells mix. Also some limestone?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you. I will do that and add crushed egg shells, oyster shells mix. Also some limestone?

Probably don't need the limestone, unless your birds don't like the other two and won't touch it at all.