When To Switch To Layer Feed

[chickenlover89]

I have young chicks who will be 20 weeks in November (20 weeks is when i am supposed to switch from grower to layer). I am not adding any light to my coop, so my chicks will probably start laying next spring. I heard that if you switch hens onto layer feed before they lay an egg, it can hurt their kidney's. Can I switch mine to layer feed at 20 weeks since that is when they would be ready to lay if it was summer? I hope that wasn't to confusing! Thanks!

 

[mnferalkitty]

would of switched them at 8-10 weeks, I have multiple ages so it helps me financialy if I can switch them over sooner and not keep buying expensive chick starter

 

[BullChick]

Lover, My understanding is that chicks under four months are unable to tolerate the calcium levels of layer feed. Once they are four months, they are large birds, and need the calcium. By "four months" i mean whatever your feed bag tells you. Some do recommend starting their product at 16 weeks, and you apparently use a company that says twenty weeks. It does say 20 weeks. Not when you get the first egg. Feel safe giving them layer feed. And don't be so negative! You will probably get an egg tomorrow just to prove you wrong!
Personally, we all do what we feel is right for our flock. With my mixed flock, I made the switch at 16 weeks. I was out of chick feed, and a week later I had an egg. Surprised the heck out of me!

 

[chickenlover89]

Lover, My understanding is that chicks under four months are unable to tolerate the calcium levels of layer feed. Once they are four months, they are large birds, and need the calcium. By "four months" i mean whatever your feed bag tells you. Some do recommend starting their product at 16 weeks, and you apparently use a company that says twenty weeks. It does say 20 weeks. Not when you get the first egg. Feel safe giving them layer feed. And don't be so negative! You will probably get an egg tomorrow just to prove you wrong!
Personally, we all do what we feel is right for our flock. With my mixed flock, I made the switch at 16 weeks. I was out of chick feed, and a week later I had an egg. Surprised the heck out of me!

thanks you!

 

[earlybird10842]

I read on another thread that if some are laying and some not, just set out oyster shell for the ones that lay.

 

[BullChick]

That is 100% true. When mixing ages, you can feed a grower feed to all, and the hens will eat the oyster shell (or other form of calcium) as needed.

 

[chickenlover89]

That is 100% true. When mixing ages, you can feed a grower feed to all, and the hens will eat the oyster shell (or other form of calcium) as needed.

thank you!