Single hen

[GreenGirl]

I was just looking at another thread about the baby pekins, and not feeding layers pellets until at least 18 weeks. I have had my lot on layers for a week now and they are all aged between 16 - 20 weeks, is it too early for the younger ones? Am worried now

[jomaxsmith]

At my local poultry centre they advise keeping them on Layers until they are (believe it or not) all laying (regularly, not just once). This is because Growers contains what they need to grow, - it won't hurt to eat eggs laid by hens on Growers.

 

Jo

[Egluntyne]

The general rule is 18 weeks.

[eggypeggy]

Ideally, Growers until they start laying as above. But don't worry mine came from omlet at 15 weeks old with a bag of layers and it didn't do them any harm.

 

Theres always 'best practise' if you can get some growers, get a small bag. My local farm has small bags to get you through, so your not wasting loads. The rule of thumb is to keep all birds on growers until all the birds are laying and then swap them onto Layers.

 

V

[Lesley]

Ours have often had Layers from a fairly early age - if they are in a run with mummy hen and other layers, so 16 weeks should be fine.

[Gallina]

When Wernlas delivered four hens to me, one aged 16 weeks and three aged 18 weeks, they sent some growers' pellets, saying that I should not feed them layers' pellets until the youngest had reached 18 weeks. So that is the magic age.

 

On the other hand, I reckon my growers' pellets will run out when my current little ones are 17 weeks, and I am not going to worry too much about putting them on layers' pellets then.

 

Is it all right for young cockerels to have layers' pellets? Might it feminize them and stop them crowing (some hopes).

[Sandychick]

I fed my Amber Star layers pellets from 14 weeks because I didn't know any better then I know for next time, but it didn't seem to do her any harm.