Grower or adult?

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Lucylou

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Hi All, an easy question for all you experienced keepers but I can't find the answer anywhere so hope you can help!

At what age does a grower become an adult chook? Just want to know for future!

Also another question related to 'growers'. When I got my chooks at 12 weeks & 8/9 weeks (don't know precise date) they were being fed on growers pellets. The lady I got them from gave me a bag to continue but once that went I was unable to buy any more locally so on advice from my supplier of layers pellets I fed them these. It was basically Hobson's Choice! but the opinion was that by then (14 weeks) they should be OK, but I don't think their opinion was based on real knowledge!

So I've been wondering if this will have affected their development. Does anyone know & would it be helpful to give them anything now at 19 weeks? I've been wondering because a couple are growing into really healthy big girls but the rest are quite a bit smaller. they are different breeds some hybrids some not, so I know they will be different sizes anyway, but even so they still seem small. :?
 
A grower gets to aldut about 18 weeks old then you normaly change from growers pellets to layers pellets.
Like many other keepers I too have run out and have used layers pellets they still grow you will notice a few weeks before laying there is a growth spurt they eat like there is no tomorrow so just make sure they have plenty of food down especialy for the lower hens in the pecking order.
If you want to add something ACV in the water, poultry spice, and greens ok now grass and weeds are not growing but cabbage leaves will give them iron and minerals.
If you worm them now you wont have to do it again till spring.
Have you got your nest boxes ready I love the first eggs still gives me a kick so exciting enjoy. xxxx
 
thanks Ladychick,been waiting for someone to reply to Lucy's post :D .
 
Thanks for the info ladychick! I have been giving them cabbages, they love them & my local saturday market gives the outer cabbage & cauli leaves away to anyone who wants them so they have those!

I've been wondering about worming, just wasn't sure if their age made any difference so now I'll go ahead.

I've had the nest boxes all lined with straw for a couple of weeks, just in case! Somehow I think it won't be till spring because they're moulting, every day it looks like someone's emptied a pillow there's so many feathers about but they seem to be doing OK just looking a bit rough round the edges!!
 
Yes, sounds like good advice on the feeding. Growers pellets are higher in protein and they help the bird put on weight. There is also a little less calcium I believe as they don't need as much. Some growers also have ACS drug in to help prevent Coccidiosis.

Ideally you shouldn't change over to layers until - well - they are becoming layers :lol:

It shouldn't cause them any major problems but you can still give them some extra protein now if you are concerned to help them put on a little more weight before they start to lay. Mashed egg is great for a bit of a boost of course.
 
Lydia your welcome ;)
Lucylou your soooo lucky greens for free, I went to a farm shop and asked for the leaves the chap looked at me with pity in his face. I said they were for my hens but dont think he believed me. :lol:
My RIRx's laid the first egg today oh I thought it was Nov ( miscalucated) nice surprise :oops:
Hens will eat the small feathers so if you see it dont worry its extra mins for them.
Like Tim said mashed boiled egg is good I like the fishy cat food they love it mix with porrage oats, pasta, even pellets. Making feathers takes a lot out of them so give them a hand.
If you collect the feathers they make lovely feather dusters? shame to waste anything. 8-)
 
That's a good idea ladychick. The feathers are such lovely colours I was wondering what I could do with them!!!
:lol:
 
they are also good for bushes etc in your garden,slow release of nutrients, so can be added to soil around bushes shrubs etc.
 
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