[carolbriar]

I have three girls who are approximately 19 weeks old now.  They are on growers mash which I got from the breeder.  At what age should you put them onto layers mash/pellets?  I have only had them for 3 weeks and know that it can take quite a while for them to settle and also its the short days during the winter when they can stop laying but wondered when would be the best age to switch them over to the layers???  At what average age would you expect to get eggs from Sussex and Marans?  I don't mind when they lay as I am just enjoying having them at the moment.  Thanks

Carolbriar

[dizzylizzie]

Hi, i would start mixing it in with the growers you have. increase the amount of layers till they get used to it

[joyfull]

I agree with Lizzie start mixing the two now and gradually increase the amount of layers until that is all they are on. I normally start mine between the ages of 16 - 18 weeks just in case they start to lay (although this time of the year yours may not lay until the nights start drawing out after December 22nd 

[GrannieAnnie]

My Light Sussex girls are about 31 weeks now.  2 have been laying for a couple of weeks, but the other 2 are still ladies in waiting!!!   :happy:

I usually switch mine over to layers pellets at 15 weeks so like the others say, start introducing it to their feed now. 

[carolbriar]

Thanks everyone.  I will get some layers pellets/mash tomorrow.  Do most people use pellets rather than mash?  If so, why?  My grls are on mash because that is what they were brought up on and I didn't want to change anything at the beginning.  I will have to find a friend to give the rest of the growers food to as I still have a lottttttttt in the 25kg bag.  I will feel happier with them on layers as then, when they lay their first egg we can eat it!   I believe when they are on growers you shouldn't eat the eggs because of something they put in the food - is that right??

Carolbriar

[joyfull]

most growers contain anti cocci in them (unless it is organic) so no you shouldn't eat the eggs. I feed pellets as mash can be messy and damp food can go mouldy quite quickly I do believe.

[beulah59]

I'm about to pick up three POL birds on Wednesday ... I only have layers at home, so unless the breeder can let me have some growers, they'll go straight onto layers.

[Sassy]

I got a trio of Light Sussex last year, the hens being from the same hatch. One started to lay early December and the other did not start until about March this year. At the end of the day they will lay when they are ready and if they start later it means they are likely to continue to lay later as they only have so many eggs to lay. So it evens itself out. Good luck, those first eggs are great.