When to switch from Grower to Layer for Mixed Breed Flock

[4chickensIA]

We have 4 birds, 2 Dark Brahma, 1 Mystic Onyx, and 1 Speckled Sussex. As of tomorrow they will be 22 weeks old.

Currently, I am feeding them Nature Smart Organic Chick Starter Grower crumble. 20% protein.

The Speckled Sussex laid her first egg today, and I am also running low on the current food. No other bird has laid yet.

I have read mixed messages on the forums about when to make the switch to layer feed. Some say 18 weeks per the manufacturer, some say after the first egg, etc. At this point I am past both of those, however, only one bird has laid so far, three still don't need the extra calcium from the layer feed.

Should I go buy another bag of Grower crumble? Or would the layer feed be ok to switch to now?

I am offering oyster shells on the side, which I have noticed the Sussex pecking through. That should help her with calcium needs if I should keep feeding the Grower food, but I am thinking it would be ok to switch entirely to layer now.

Any input?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Lots of us on here keep them on grower/starter or all-flock and provide oyster shell instead of switching to layer. Layer feed is designed for high-production breeds in their prime and if you have a mixed flock, heritage breeds, or roosters there is no reason to switch to layer. Mine are eating chick starter with oyster shell free-choice because I have 6 pullets, a cockerel and two old ladies who are still laying sporadically.

 

[C Siena]

What is the protein of the layer feed?
I've read, on this site, that most think 18% + protein is better. Many stick with starter or all flock, with OS/ES on the side.

We mix starter and 16% layer = 18% w OS/ES side. I up the protein to 20 at molt.

Just me.

 

[4chickensIA]

What is the protein of the layer feed?
I've read, on this site, that most think 18% + protein is better. Many stick with starter or all flock, with OS/ES on the side.

We mix starter and 16% layer = 18% w OS/ES side. I up the protein to 20 at molt.

Just me.

The protein is 16% in the layer, 20% in the current starter/grower.

 

[C Siena]

As @BlindLemonChicken wrote, many keep their mixed flock on starter/all flock, 20%. We choose the mix at 18%. Our older hens are only 26 months, so including layer is fine for us. I am retired and I have time, though it doesn't take much more. When I fill the feeders upon opening in the morning, I give the roos the crumbles (20%) first, just me. Only layer is too much calcium for the roos and cockerels that are of a certain age.

I will state that part of it is cost. The layer at 16% is less costly, so the mix works for us, giving us 18% protein. Each of us must evaluate our flocks and decide. I am not knowledgeable compared to many here but this is our path for now. Our hens are producing well, not old and healthy, to the best of our visual knowledge. They free range all day every day, except for maybe about 8 days (not consecutive) in the harsh winter.

I do up the protein to 20% when molt begins and they begin to molt about the same time, give or take 1-2 weeks.

 

[4chickensIA]

Where do you find pellet grower feed? I have only seen it as mash or crumbles?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Where do you find pellet grower feed? I have only seen it as mash or crumbles?

I’ve never seen grower pellets either. I think the idea with pellets is that the birds can’t pick and choose what they eat so they get all their nutrients from the pellets. That’s because it was designed for penned, commercial layers. Even in a run your birds are likely getting more sunshine, fresh air and forage-even scraps-than commercial battery hens get. So pellets are not necessary in my opinion. Mine eat crumble just fine. I also give them a “mash” starter feed as scratch or a treat that they can pick peas and seeds out of if they choose but they free range all day so they get lots of bugs and forage and still eat all their crumble.

 

[C Siena]

Where do you find pellet grower feed? I have only seen it as mash or crumbles?

I didn't explain properly. I apologise.

The layer is pellets, the starter is crumble. I mostly mix them. For first half of the day, I wet it. They devour it wet But the main reason is our chickens Waste crumbles.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Where do you find pellet grower feed? I have only seen it as mash or crumbles?

It's not very common. I've only found one pelleted grower and my birds never took to it, so for that reason I also feed a combination of starter (mash) and layer (pelleted) once all the birds are old enough to lay.