A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 My bantams are about ready in age for layers pellets now. I've got a stack of growers pellets still and wondered what the best way of switching them is. Do I just ditch the growers pellets and put them on layers pellets, or add layers pellets in over a certain time period? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Add the layers over a period of time gradually increasing the ratio Dont waste the growers, they will still be fine on them for some time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 I was advised to keep mine on growers until they actually started to lay. I don't know if that is good or bad advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted October 10, 2009 Author Share Posted October 10, 2009 Ah. I was under the impression there weren't enough laying nutrients in growers pellets so they wouldn't lay until they were on layers pellets. Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 I was told my 16 weekers would be ok on layers as I had a little layer in with them........just mix the two feeds starting more growers with a few layers until they have all layers 'cos the growers have run out....or do what I did & mix the two types together in the bin & fed that ad lib!! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Growers fine until they start laying. Personally mine is more judged by using up a bag than a specific week - if growers will run out in week 18, that is when I start mixing both and move over - if they were at 18 weeks with half a bag of growers I carry on a bit longer. Layers ration will maximise egg production, but a slow start, letting their bodies get use to it is not really an issue on a non-commercial basis is it? Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busybird Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 I was advised to put my newbies (16 weeks) on growers when I got them. As they share the Eglu and run with my oldies that is what they have all been eating for the last month. We were getting about 12 eggs a week and now get about 9 a week so production is down a little but not too much. The newbies have not yet started to lay. I don't expect to see any eggs for a while as they have not yet grown combs, have yellow legs and do not crouch (I do wonder if they were actually younger than 16 weeks when I got them ). However, I do not think it is necessary to buy another sack of growers so have tipped the remaining third of the sack I have been using into an opened sack of layers and will top up their feed from that. Luckily my chooks don't seem to fussy about what they will eat When I got my omlet girls they went straight onto layers (that is what came with them) and I am sure my newbies must be older than they were by now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
