Re: Switching from growers to layers

"Jill" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> "Goofy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> > "EppingBoy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> > news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > > My Speckledies are 16 weeks old and in theory should start laying in a
> > > few weeks time. When should I be switching from growers to layers? I
> > > don't want to start them too early as they will still be growing.
> > > Are they likely to start laying later at this time of year due to the
> > > lack of daylight? or are hybrids not so fussed about the weather?
> > > TIA
> > > Bryann
> >
> > Lol - don't worry, they won't lay too early!
> > I'd give them 26 weeks before they lay.
> 
> Speckledies SHOULD start laying before 26 weeks as they are a commercially
> tweaked hybrid for efficiency
> Whether they do or not will depend on where you live and the facilities you
> have given them
> But yes they should be on layers now - its a correct feed for the
> preparation to laying as well as during laying
> Recommended is around 15 weeks for commercials and 17 weeks for pures
> The layers rations in the UK is NOT medicated although you do have the
> choices of 16 % 18% GM free or not Organic or not and with or with out
> artificial colourants
> and that depends on where you live too
> 
> The chances are they will start to lay at around 22 if they have been well
> done up to now but it will not be exactly full blast - unless you are a dry
> bright part of the country and they have correct lighting regmes etc
> 
> If you ahve not already provide them with a bowl of grit free access outside
> don't mix it in - they know how much or little to take
> 
> good luck
> 
> --
> regards
> Jill Bowis
> new for Christmas http://www.animalgiftshop.co.uk - hand quilted cushions
> Pure bred utility chickens and ducks; Housing; Books
> Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
> Holidays in Scotland and Wales
> http://www.kintaline.co.uk
> 
> >
> > Just check that the growers food is ok for the eggs to be eaten - some are
> > not.
> >
> >


Thanks for the advice. Looks like I'm off to the feed merchant this
afternoon to get a bag of layers.
They've had grit available since I got them, 6 weeks ago, and it goes
down gradually, so I know they're eating it.
They are spoilt at the moment though as they wander into the house in
the afternoons when my wife and kids get home and let them roam.
Especially with all the rain we've had the last week or so. Yesterday
afternoon they were sunbathing next to a radiator with their legs and
wings stretched out. So I don't think the weather is going to upset
them too much. They got thrown out though when they tried roosting on
the back of the sofa!
We've got friends down for the weekend who think we are mad and should
have got a dog or a cat instead. OK you can house train a dog or cat,
but you don't get eggs or decent manure at the end of the day.
This may sound strange, but can chickens be house trained? A friend of
mine when I was at school had a pair of ducks that he managed to
housetrain somehow. They used to bang on the french windows when they
wanted to go out. I've seen this with my own eyes many times so I know
it wasn't BS. I only ask cos Crackle pooed on my lap yesterday. I
don't mind wiping the floor down, but my trousers are a different
story.
As you can gather, these are pets rather than livestock.

Bryann