Chicken boarders

[dance in the dark]

So I recently got myself two lovely lavender araucana, one is a year old and the other is about 16 weeks (born at the end of April) so I have been feeding the little one with the other growers who are 13 weeks. Basically I am wondering if I should put the young araucana in with the big ones, they are used to her and have all be occupying the same area, I have read 16 weeks is the right time to move on to layers, but the young araucana still looks small, about the same size as the 13 week cream legbars, and smaller than the mature araucana. Should I just make the switch and let her carry on growing with the big ones?

 

Basically, when should I start giving layers to a hen and are there any circumstances where you should deviate from 16 weeks? I don't want to do it too early as I know layers can damage chicks health.

 

Thanks

[sjp]

you can leave them on growers for a while longer ie 18 weeks or until they start laying

I've got a broody that is still with her 2 10+ week old chicks so is still on growers and is now laying

[dance in the dark]

Oh good, but if I wanted to move her onto layers now would that be ok? Is there a time from which they'll be fine? I am just getting a bit concerned she it outgrowing the grower's enclosure, and I don't want her free ranging all the time with the big girls till they eat the same food.

[sjp]

yes you can puy her on to layers know but you can also free ranger with the rest of your flock it'll help her to get to know them. my 5 groups al free range togeather 2 are on growers 2 layers 1 chick crumb 2 weeks old today

[Mr Rhode Island Red]

at around 17/18 weeks old, start to mix the layers into the growers, keep at this until they are being fed solely on layers