Yet another when to feed layer feed question

[Jenilynchickmom]

Hello friends!

Here we are back at the bottom of the feed bag and I’m ever so close to an egg. The gals are 18 weeks as of sept 14th (1 polish, 1 Brahma, 1 black sexlink, 1 speckled Sussex, 1 isa brown & 1 silver Wyandotte)

buy another bag of chick feed 25lbs (since I keep hearing chick feed until I seen an egg) or go ahead and buy the layer??

you all are amazing and thank you for everything

 

[chickenlittle21]

If you can, buy them a small bag of flock raiser.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I would buy another bag of flock raiser or chick feed (either would work). Layer feed has too much calcium in it for non laying chickens.

 

[Aapomp831]

At 18 weeks they are absolutely ready for layer feed. I always give my chickens layer feed at 18 weeks; they need the calcium to get things going.

 

[Ruby Rogue]

I might have to agree with this guy.

At 18 weeks they are absolutely ready for layer feed. I always give my chickens layer feed at 18 weeks; they need the calcium to get things going.

But I'm not an expert. My hens got into the layer feed a few weeks early and started laying at 16 weeks. But they're also an early laying breed. It depends on the breed of your chicken. I no longer even feed layer feed, I'm back on chick starter with a side of oyster shell.

 

[Aapomp831]

I might have to agree with this guy.



But I'm not an expert. My hens got into the layer feed a few weeks early and started laying at 16 weeks. But they're also an early laying breed. It depends on the breed of your chicken. I no longer even feed layer feed, I'm back on chick starter with a side of oyster shell.

Yea that’s what I’m doing right now bc I have 20 BSLs that are 8 weeks old integrating with older chickens. It’s actually good for this time of year; everyone’s gonna start molting soon and they can use the extra protein.
But 16 weeks is fine too, especially if you have early egg layers like my sex links. But by 18 weeks yes, start that layer feed to give the eggs a head start.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You can go either way - really depends on how you want to manage your flock. If your plan is to switch to layer feed, then you can do so now. If you were thinking of doing all flock with oyster shell on the side, then no need to switch at all.

I actually go halfway and I feed both layer and grower once the majority of the youngest birds are laying.

 

[Jenilynchickmom]

Well my friends today I’m going to the feed store tonight as planned but I got my first egg today!!!!!!

 

[Aapomp831]

Well my friends today I’m going to the feed store tonight as planned but I got my first egg today!!!!!!

Awesome!!! Congrats

 

[1Crazychickenlady]

Well my friends today I’m going to the feed store tonight as planned but I got my first egg today!!!!!!

Congrats!