William

[William54]

Hello everyone, I got 7 black copper maran's 4 roosters and 3 hens and all are 19 weeks old. When is a good time to start slowly giving them laying pellets... And when do they usually start laying?

 

[Squawkers]

Welcome to BYC!! I usually switch my girls over to adult food when my first pullet starts laying. But with 4 cockerels you might want to consider an all flock feed with a calcium supplement available.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi William, welcome to BYC! @Squawkers is right. A layer formula feed contains calcium, which is not good for non-laying birds. An all-flock formula usually contains more protein, and you can meet the calcium needs of your layers by keeping a separate vessel of oyster shell available. The ones that need it will help themselves and those that don't will ignore it.

You should also know that with 4 boys and 3 girls you are liable to have some problems. Thse cockerels are going to overbreed your pullets if they aren't already. I'd suggest you re-home all but your very nicest cockerel and look to add maybe 3 or 4 more pullets or hens to your flock.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oh - and your pullets could start laying any time now. Look for their combs and wattles to tart turning a darker red. You can pu golf balls or fake eggs in the nests to help them get the idea that that's where eggs should go. I like golf balls because fake eggs fool ME as well as the hens!