KarmaMama Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 My Chooks will be 16wks old this week and I have been feeding them on Growers Pellets from the place we bought them from - however, I have just finished the bag and will need to get another one this week. I'm just wondering when I swap to Layers Pellets - do I do this once they are laying or do I do it before they start to lay? I also give them a handful of mixed corn on the occasional afternoon. Is there anything else I should be doing - this all seems too easy Many thanks for your advice Jacquie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 Does your feed supplier sell growers pellets in smaller quantities? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 They need growers pellets till 18 weeks, and then layers. There is too much calcium in layers for a chicken before it reaches point of lay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarmaMama Posted June 10, 2008 Author Share Posted June 10, 2008 I will check if I can get feed in smaller bags - it took them 6 weeks to get through a 20kg bag of pellets, so a smaller one would make much more sense. I haven't found a feed supplier yet as we were still using the feed we got when we got the chooks which was a 3 hour round trip, but there is a small holder / farmers supplier in our local town (20 min drive) who I suspect will stock the feed, but I will call around first. I will pick up a bag of Layers pellets also so we are ready for the 18 week point. Jacquie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 Our local feed store spilts sacks and sells the feed by the weight as well as in the sacks. Bear in mind though that it only has a 3 month shelf life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 There is a source on Ebay selling it in 950g packs. **Here** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 You can get them in 5kg bags, which would be ideal as you will need to manage the changeover to Layers pellets gradually anyway. Allen & Page sell direct via the internet, in case you are having trouble sourcing elsewhere: Smallholder range here http://www.allenandpage.com/store/smallholder/index.htm Organic Feed COmpany range here http://www.allenandpage.com/store/organic/index.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarmaMama Posted June 10, 2008 Author Share Posted June 10, 2008 Many thanks for those links - the Allen and Page site is brilliant. In the Organic Feed information for Growers pellets they say "For birds that are to be kept as laying hens, introduce Organic Layers Pellets from 16 weeks." so I'm wondering if I should get a 5kg bag of growers pellets and a 20kg bag of layers pellets. When they say 'introduce' do they mean start adding some of the layers pellets and gradually increasing until, at about 18 wks they are fully on Layers pellets. Also - is it a good idea to add the vinegar in their water anyway - are they too young, or do you need a specific ailment to appear before the vinegar is beneficial? Heck - I have soooo many questions, I'm so glad this forum exists - I'm not sure I would have dared keep hens if it hadn't been here! Jacquie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 I'd hold off with the layers pellets until they actually start to lay - that age is probably meant as a guide only. Hens can start to lay at different ages. ACV is helpful to them at any age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMS Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 My feed supplier (Thorne's, Letchworth Garden City) told me that 18 weeks was too young to be feeding layers and recommended that I fed them one more sack of growers before switching over. Alison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 I'd hold off with the layers pellets until they actually start to lay - that age is probably meant as a guide only. Hens can start to lay at different ages. ACV is helpful to them at any age. Couldn't have put it better myself Clare!! I keep mine on growers for as long as possible. Whenever I get any new chooks, all the old ones get put on growers too as it's impossible to have them on different food in the same run. The only downside is that the shell quality can suffer if they are on growers for too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarmaMama Posted June 10, 2008 Author Share Posted June 10, 2008 That sounds like good advice - I think i'll do that Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 My feed supplier (Thorne's, Letchworth Garden City) told me that 18 weeks was too young to be feeding layers and recommended that I fed them one more sack of growers before switching over. Alison Hellooooo neighbour! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 One of our hens will be 6 weeks younger than the other two, and the breeder has told me to continue with the growers pellets until the bag is finished and then the layers (obviously gradually introducing the new feed). There is no hurry as our girls are slow maturing anyway and I have read that if the hens are brought on too quickly they may be prone to laying difficulties. So many things to think about and so many different ideas that seem to contradict all the time. I think you have to do things gradual - I have read the Prudence posting too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 OOPS I forgot to mention the youngest will be 12 weeks old when we get them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMS Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 Hello Superjules *waves* Alison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 ....There is no hurry as our girls are slow maturing anyway and I have read that if the hens are brought on too quickly they may be prone to laying difficulties. It is suggested that switching them to layers too soon can cause prolapse, although I don't knoew how true that is. I'm not taking any chances though and mine don't switch til they've been laying for a few weeks at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchtoast Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Hello, this is my first post! My two girls Peggy (stands on one leg) and Phoebe arrived last week from Omlet with a supply of organic pellets which I've been giving daily with a small sprinkle of garlic powder and bokashi. I think they were between 14-16 weeks old. I've just been topping up the "grub" every morning with fresh pellets but not disposing of the old. I bring the grub indoors each night. They've produced quite a few mustardy poos over the week and I'm wondering if it's going on too long. They get treats when my daughter comes home from school, usually small handful of mixed corn, spaghetti (or other fruit/veggy items which they rarely touch). Could long strands of spaghetti swallowed whole cause a blockage- we've been giving it worm length!?! Do you think they Omlet pellets are too strong at this stage? Do you think the girls are just adjusting to grass and slugs etc? They've only been out of the run in confined space for an hour or so in the past 3 evenings. I've got so many questions to ask! Sorry to go on. Another quick question...has anyone used the flexible fencing on Omlet and have their chooks ever "flown" over it?? My eglu and run is about 0.5-1m away from it along one side and Peggy was sitting on top of it working out how to clear the gap. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Hello and welcome to the forum. I see you come from the home of the Good Life I think you are right, that their digestive systems are just getting used to the grass and slugs etc. Maybe if you up the Bokashi a bit, and reduce the other treats it might help. Mine have never flown over the netting from ground level, but have done so from the top of the Eglu. Did the person who assembled your Eglu clip their wings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchtoast Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Thank you and for such a speedy reply! Sadly the good life is long gone from this road anyway; it's sirens during the day and late night uni students passing by disrupting the poor girls' peace and quiet! Thanks for the feeding info. and yes, the Omlet man did clip their wings. I'll need to re position the eglu better. I've moved it a little bit every day/other day so far but it's not as easy as swinging a cat is it ?!! And the weather has been great. Maybe not so fun when the rain is pouring down. I didn't really want to put it centre stage on the grass for all practical reasons (poo, washing line, grass cutting, tree in the way, uneven ground etc) and it's only a medium size garden. It wouldn't be the end of the world if one got over, only one tricky corner, but as they haven't been handled yet, it might be distressing to get them back in. We spend loads of time with them but no hand contact yet. We're all a bit cautious both sides! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Try handling them at night when they are roosting and a bit dozy - they're easy to get our through the pop-hole and don't mind a bit of a cuddle then. Chooks are like labradors - stomach led, so give them a little bit of corn when you cuddle them, they will soon associate it with treats. One of my girls flies up to perch on my shoulders and eat corn out of my hand... the downside being that I sometimes get pooed on... hence the 'chicken jacket'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchtoast Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Thanks for the good tips, we'll have a go this evening. And I've got 2 old gardening jackets so I'll keep them handy! Because we've had 25-27oC last few days, we've been in flip flops and bare arms/legs! not a good combo with ground level pecking! The weather's cooler now, so we'll be back to sensible footwear soon. Maybe I'll get some of those plastic clog/wellies from Lidl or somewhere similar to keep handy on the door step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 You'll be wearing Crocs before you know it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchtoast Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 Probably! Haven't they got holes in them? Not so good for crawling around and about the run on poo raking duties! Must get to work this chicken malarky is very distracting! So much to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 We have hens that are 20 weeks, 23 weeks & 15 weeks. We have one feeder with just growers pellets in & the other one, we have done half half with growers & layers mixed. It's a bit difficult when they are mixed ages, living in the same accomodation. I was told layers at 16 weeks & this is what I did with my Creag Mhor hens last year - they were 16 weeks when I got them & haven't had any problems. I would do a mix like I have. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
