when to switch to layer feed?

[countrygirl36]

my chickens will be 3 months on the first and the eighth,when do i need to switch to layer feed and can my cockeral eat the layer feed to or will he need different food?
p.s they free range!

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Start layer feed around 18 - 20 weeks or when you actually see when laying has begun. When my roosters were younger, they switched over to layer feed at the same time as the rest of the flock. I know the calcium is not good for either males or females when they are developing before around 18 weeks old. But I have read that layer feed is fine for roosters.

 

[folgerrd]

X2 what scratch'n'peck has said.