[leddenton]

I have 2 15week old girls who are fed on growers but when do I swap to layers? I have blocked off their nesting box to encourage them to roost on their perches which has worked well but when should I open it up? Is it about 22weeks when they start to lay? Thanks for any advise.

[Casey76]

If they are hybrid layers (like Warrens) you can switch over starting at 17 weeks, if they are pure breeds, I'd keep them on growers until they lay their first egg, which could be next spring now.

[leddenton]

I have 1 black rock and 1 welsummer so do they classify as pur breeds or do I have 1 of each in which case what do you advise? Thanks for your help, I feel I know very little in the chicken world!

[joyfull]

my blackrock started laying at 24 weeks and my welsummer was 26 so I would start changing them over at about 22 weeks 

[hillfooter]

my blackrock started laying at 24 weeks and my welsummer was 26 so I would start changing them over at about 22 weeks  

I don't think it is so critical really but as you have to decide at some stage to swap their feed I'd agree with Joy.  Ideally two weeks before lay is optimum but I would definitely do it by 22 weeks.  For hybrids 17 weeks is OK and pure breeds 19 weeks is also fine but at this time of year they are likely to be later.  If they don't start before the daylight gets below 14 hours it could well be delayed until the new year.

HF

[leddenton]

Thanks everso for advise will change them at 22 weeks as you suggested