Young pullets already laying

[Amdayma]

Hi all I'm new here and a new urban chicken farmer lol, I have 4 isa brown pullets I got in April 3 as chicks, I got my first egg 3 days ago from one of my lovely ladies, then 2 days later I found 2 thin shelled eggs in the coop not in a nesting box ! To my calculations my girls are only 14 maybe 15 weeks old, I had them on grower crumbles, being this young can I switch to layer crumbles? The first egg was small but very good shell the other 2 were thin , they have not laid any in 2 days ? Is this normal and will they continue to lay ? And when should it get to be everyday laying!? Any pointers would be great

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yes, you may now switch them to layer feed, if you wish. Most folks do for the convenience.

While it is unusual for the ISA to lay at 15 weeks, it isn't unheard of, especially if they were a few days older, say day 5 when you got them. That would put them very close to 16 weeks and yes, they are now starting. Don't worry about the starter eggs. It's a bit hit or miss for awhile, but soon, you'll be getting many fine, large brown eggs.

 

[Amdayma]

Thanks I bought them a bag of layena crumbles but it looked as if they didn't eat any, I put out grit and oyster shell in a different dish , I mixed the grower and later crumbles together they seem to be more responsive, they do get out of the coop and run daily for free range grazing , maybe this weather we have had in michigan (95 or almost a week) is making it spuratic, I also notice most are molting tail feathers , thanks for te info

 

[Fred's Hens]

No birds starve themselves. They are creatures of habit and they train their keepers well. Most folks are easily psyched out by the chickens and chickens are called dumb, eh?
Fact is that they'll eat anything. If they don't get their way, in a while, they cave, if you hold out. We don't have fussy chickens around here. They learn to eat what I provide or they can go eat bugs, if they want something else. LOL

If you provide shells on the side, they'll be just fine on Grower. But, trust me, they'll gobble that layer feed too. When they start laying steady, their appetite increases. Afterall, they spit out huge egg everyday, so they work up an appetite. Here's a pick of some ISA eggs, just so you know what's coming soon!! Exciting, really.

 

[Amdayma]

Awesome thanks, I do spoil my girls a bit , with garden treats and seed, and I see the kids out sharing the raspberries occasionally lol, my other concern is my dad used to raise chickens when he was a kid, Ive heard differences in cleaning of the eggs, dry clean vs wash clean with water, he says if there not dirty you don't have to do much with them, what's the general rule persay!

 

[Fred's Hens]

It totally depends. Many eggs are spotless and there is no worries. Others? are filthy, as you'll see soon. We wash them according to USDA washing guidelines. Easily researched on google.

We sell eggs, lots of them, to fussy customers. Shrug. They pay good money, which pays the bills, so they get what they want. Spotlessly clean, washed eggs. Ask a thousand folks and you'll get a split decision every time. LOL

 

[devora]

No birds starve themselves. They are creatures of habit and they train their keepers well.

So this is why I'm slaving away at the stove making rice and mixing in strawberries and adding yogurt and putting it on plates and carrying it out to the yard!