My 7 hens are about 3.5 months old. None have started laying yet and I've read that when they mature in the fall, they often wait til spring to begin laying. Which is fine, but should I switch their feed to layer feed when I run out of the current bag? Even if they aren't laying, they'll be laying age and it seems to me I should switch. What do you think?
Btw, I just love my chickies. They are so sweet and I'm so happy I didn't end up with any roos. (I'd know by know, right?)
Should I switch their feed?
Hi Gwen! I don't think they will wait until spring at all. But yes to the switching of the layer crumbles. Most definitely you are right on with your thinking. I can't remember what kind you have, but they won't all lay at the same time schedule, every breed is a little different. I'm so glad you love them and are having a great time with them. Haystack.
I have 2 buff orpingtons, 1 black star, 1 black australorp, 1 dominique, 1 barred rock, and 1 white rock. They hatched 6/28 so they'll be 16 weeks on 10/28.
I would switch to layer pettet or crumble. I like (crumble) as soon as you use up what you have left of the all purpose. I have fifteen austrolorps, love them, but they are late layers and so are the white rocks. Probably start to lay at about 23 weeks. The barred rocks were laying at about 20 weeks. Never had orp's or dominiques so don't have a clue about them. Have a good week-end. Hay