When to switch to layer feed

[TK421]

I’ve made The feed switch before the first egg was laid when I was finished with a bag of starter/grower and we were at 22-23 weeks. All the signs were that laying was about to start And I didn’t want to have 50 lbs of feed I couldn’t use. If I recall correctly, everything went fine and they started laying pretty quickly. But I’m with you...weeks 16-24 were awful. First egg today? Today? How about today? Then whammo! It happens.

 

[LikeTurkeys]

I prefer to feed a Purina flock raiser or a starter/grower mix with oyster shell on the side their whole lives. That works for me because I have a variety of ages in my flock, and the layers pick out the calcium themselves when they need it.

If you choose to feed layer, then when you find your first egg is fine.

Also, my Production Blues began laying at 19 and 22 weeks respectively, and my EE's at 20-25 weeks.

 

[LikeTurkeys]

I’ve made The feed switch before the first egg was laid when I was finished with a bag of starter/grower and we were at 22-23 weeks. All the signs were that laying was about to start And I didn’t want to have 50 lbs of feed I couldn’t use. If I recall correctly, everything went fine and they started laying pretty quickly. But I’m with you...weeks 16-24 were awful. First egg today? Today? How about today? Then whammo! It happens.

Starter/grower is perfectly fine for laying hens... you just need to supplement with a calcium source like oyster shell.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

You might find this (old) thread useful "When to Switch", I certainly did. And just as @LikeTurkeys does, I intend to have a mixed ages flock, and I am the lazy sort - automatic feeders, automatic waterers, a big damned coop with a big damned run so I rarely have to clean either, and I let them free range as soon as I've finished my coffee and feel like wandering out.

So I, too, am going the "all flock" or starter/grower route for feed with free choice oyster shell for the birds that need it - particularly as I have mix of layers and meat birds, and no desire to try and separate the two.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I prefer to feed a Purina flock raiser or a starter/grower mix with oyster shell on the side their whole lives. That works for me because I have a variety of ages in my flock, and the layers pick out the calcium themselves when they need it.

If you choose to feed layer, then when you find your first egg is fine.

Also, my Production Blues began laying at 19 and 22 weeks respectively, and my EE's at 20-25 weeks.

So far it's just these 7 all the same age. I did realize today that I obviously dont have enough chickens because I gave mine some watermelon and they couldnt finish it. Such an obvious sign that I need more babies

I'm glad to hear that about your EEs. I've read somewhere that they sometimes dont lay until 9 months

 

[Mamatomany123]

You might find this (old) thread useful "When to Switch", I certainly did. And just as @LikeTurkeys does, I intend to have a mixed ages flock, and I am the lazy sort - automatic feeders, automatic waterers, a big damned coop with a big damned run so I rarely have to clean either, and I let them free range as soon as I've finished my coffee and feel like wandering out.

So I, too, am going the "all flock" or starter/grower route for feed with free choice oyster shell for the birds that need it - particularly as I have mix of layers and meat birds, and no desire to try and separate the two.

You sound like me they are in a 10 x 8 coop and a 35 x 25 run. They free range most of the day also. I also made a poop board so I just have to scoop the night poops up like cat litter every morning. Lazy is my middle name

 

[U_Stormcrow]

My coop is about 100 sq ft above, with closer to 150 sq ft below (3' elevation +/-). The ducks prefer downstairs. The run is near identical to yours, about 27 by 36, with a small pond 80-100 sq ft, depending on fill level about 6-8" deep in most places in the center. Today I stretched an 8x10 tarp to provide some additional shade. Already getting warm in this neck of the woods.

I moved from the Austin area last year, hear you guys are already hitting brutal heat indexes from friends I left behind. My sincere condolences.

 

[WallyG74]

I've always read to have it available. The chickens will eat it if they need it.

Yep. I’m sure it’s all good either way. I was pulling knowledge from another thread I read a week or so back. They were talking about giving them too much calcium especially when using layer feed. It made me question how I was feeding my hens. We’re all going to do it a little different I suppose.

 

[Mamatomany123]

My coop is about 100 sq ft above, with closer to 150 sq ft below (3' elevation +/-). The ducks prefer downstairs. The run is near identical to yours, about 27 by 36, with a small pond 80-100 sq ft, depending on fill level about 6-8" deep in most places in the center. Today I stretched an 8x10 tarp to provide some additional shade. Already getting warm in this neck of the woods.

I moved from the Austin area last year, hear you guys are already hitting brutal heat indexes from friends I left behind. My sincere condolences.

Oh gosh, the heat has been miserable. Last week we got to 106 and it totally fried my tomato plant.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Ok, so new question but still about feed. We all know how chicken math works. I planned on 4, got 7, and am now getting 3 more. Theyll be chicks so I'll have them separated for a while but if I buy flock raise can I feed that to my 16 week old chickens as well as the new chicks?what I'm looking at says its 20%. Or should i use chick crumble until they are integrated with the older girls? Also, with 10 chickens should i have 2 feeders and 2 waterers?