4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[moomin]

my baby chicks were between 8 & 10 weeks old when I got them. The breeder wasn't 100% sure exactly how old they were.

 

We (or they!), are steadily munching their way through a large sack of growers pellets.

 

I have been told I should change them to layers at around 16 weeks, but should I base that info on that they were 8 weeks old when we got them, or 10 weeks? As there will be two weeks difference (gosh I'm so good at chicken maths! ).

 

I suppose the question I am asking is, is it better to keep them on growers pellets longer, will it do any harm??

 

And should I make the introduction gradually by mixing the two together over a number of days?

 

Any advice welcome please!

[FruitandNutCake]

I'm sure when I got my 3 they were being fed growers pellets, and they were 20 weeks old. I just took a back of layers mash home with me when I got them, and they went straight onto layers mash without any problems.

[Egluntyne]

They can stay on growers mash up to age 18 weeks.

 

There is not enough calcium or protein in growers mash for laying hens so they do need to be changed over by that time.

[kaylis1980]

or you could play safe and just do 9 weeks

[moomin]

OK thanks all.

 

I think I'm going to go for 9 weeks old when I got them, and put them on layers at 18 weeks.

 

Happy compromise (hopefully!!)