[Topscaff]

Just bought a trio of Welsummers to add to my other hens, they are 16 weeks old so still on rearers, I will keep them on them until the lay there first egg, I am going to introduce them to the others tonight when I lock them up so hopefully they will get on together, fingers crossed, Mike.

[GrannieAnnie]

Hi Mike, good luck with the newcomers!  At 16 weeks, I'd put them onto Layers pellets now rather than wait until they start to lay.

[Topscaff]

Okay, only the breeder I bought them off said I shouldn't put them on to the layer pellets until they have laid there first egg, he said there could be a risk of a prolapse? Mike.

[GrannieAnnie]

I've never heard that one before, and all our girls go on to layers pellets at 15-16 weeks, and in all the birds we've had here in 8 years, we've only ever had 1 with a prolapse I think!

[Topscaff]

Thanks, its just that I had to put down a hen yesterday that has prolapsed twice in the last three months, thought it would be the kindest thing for her not to suffer, and I'm new to this game so still learning so to speak, thanks Mike

[joyfull]

mine all go on layers around the 15 weeks age - as some hens lay at 17 weeks and others around 30 weeks with some anywhere in between (even from the same hatching) so waiting until they lay their first egg means you would have to keep each girl seperate to know when to change their feed if waiting for that first egg. I am lucky - never had a prolapse.

[ehs284]

Got 2 Welsummers early in the year. They were much younger than 15 weeks (not quite sure of true age) and were already on pellets. They've thrived. I'm pretty certain that they aren't laying yet, but are healthy and very active.
Joyful - you're lucky! We'd several last year. They were all ISAs and their eggs were huge; poor things. So much for the wonders of selective breeding!

[Sassy]

put them on layers