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!

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

I'd just put them all on an all-flock, (we feed Kalmbach's Flock Maker) then you don't have to worry about who gets what feed as that's for chicks, ducks, from freshly hatched all the way up to the oldest ones. Just have a separate dish or feeder with oyster shell in it. If you have young chicks, keep them away from it, but otherwise, the older ones will only eat it if they need it.

We're glad you're here!

 

[Bsmac]

Hello! Welcome to BYC! Great advice from BigBlueHen53 & Debbie292d. We also feed our`s Kalmbach`s flock maker. It is good feed! Good luck with your flock!

 

[muddy75]

 

[Lazy Farmer]

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?

Hi William 6 months old is average laying age. I free will feed starter until first lay. Welcome sir.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello William, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
The first thing that stuck out to me was the fact that you have 4 males and 3 females. That is a serious issue. You need to rehome 3 of those cockerels.
I have never fed layer feed in the over 7 years I've been keeping chickens. They get a poultry feed that is appropriate for any chicken that offers 18 to 20% protein and 0.8 to 1.3% calcium. I keep oyster shell in multiple containers on the side for free choice feeding by the active layers. No matter what is happening within my flock with non layers I am always feeding an appropriate, balanced diet.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC, William. Do you have the males seperated?