Switch laying hens to a complete chicken layer feed when chickens start laying eggs around 18 weeks of age. Choose a complete layer feed that includes all 38 essential nutrients laying hens need to lay strong and stay strong. Then make the transition gradually over one week.

When you turn 18, you can do a lot of new things. You can vote, buy fireworks and even try your luck with the lottery. The magical number means: welcome to adulthood.

For backyard chickens, the number 18 means the same thing. Eighteen weeks is the age when laying hens are considered adults. Most excitingly, it’s the time when many chicken breeds will start laying eggs. At this key milestone, switch your hens to a chicken layer feed.

This feed switch is an essential step in the road to farm fresh eggs because hens require different nutrients to produce eggs as compared to when they are growing.

To produce an egg each day, hens need high levels of calcium, vitamins, and minerals. Hens transfer many of these nutrients directly into their eggs, so the nutrients in layer feed play an essential role in the eggs hens produce.

Consider the following steps when transitioning to a complete chicken layer feed:

1. Choose a chicken layer feed that matches your goals.

The best chicken feed for layers depends on your flock goals. Select a complete layer feed before the transition begins. Ideally, make your layer feed decision by week 16, so you’re ready to make the transition at week 18.

First, look for a complete layer feed. This means the feed should be formulated to provide all 38 unique nutrients laying hens require without a need to supplement.

• For organic hens and eggs: Purina® Organic layer feed
• For added omega-3 in your eggs: Purina® Layena® Plus Omega-3
• For strong, healthy hens: Purina® Layena® pellets or crumbles

Each of these chicken layer feeds is made with simple, wholesome ingredients, 16 percent protein, at least 3.25 percent calcium as well as key vitamins and minerals. They also include our exclusive Oyster Strong® System, so everything hens need is included in the bag – no need to supplement.

These are just the essentials, though. Additional ingredients in Purina® complete layer feeds help bring hen health and egg quality to the next level.
A few next-level ingredients to look for include:

• For rich, yellow yolks: Marigold extract
• For strong, protective shells: Oyster Strong® System
• For immune and digestive health: Prebiotics and probiotics
• For vibrant feathering: Essential amino acids such as lysine and methionine
• For omega-rich eggs: Added omega-3 fatty acids

2. Transition to chicken layer feed over one week.

When birds reach 18 weeks old or when the first egg arrives, gradually switch your laying hens to a layer feed. It’s important to make the transition over time to prevent digestive upset.

On our farm in Missouri, we’ve found it’s best to make chicken feed transitions over time rather than all at once. We mix the starter-grower feed and layer feed evenly for four or five days. If birds are used to crumbles, start with a crumble layer feed. The same goes with pellets. The more similar the two chicken feeds are, the more smoothly the transition will go.

Many hens will eat the mixed feed without noticing a difference. When laying hens are eating both feeds, you can stop feeding the starter-grower feed and make the complete switch to all-layer feed. It is important to give your birds enough time to adjust to the new diet. Most birds will adjust within a couple of days but some can take a couple of weeks to fully transition to their new diet.

3. Keep chicken feed consistent.

Once the transition to layer feed is complete, it’s best to maintain a routine.

We recommend providing free choice layer feed to hens and switching out the feed each morning and evening. Laying hens eat approximately 0.25 pounds of complete feed each day, equaling about one-half cup.

If birds are free-ranging, offer complete layer feed before they go out in the morning. This will help them consume the essential nutrients before filling up on less nutritionally balanced insects and plants.

It’s important for the complete feed to make up at least 90 percent of the hen’s diet. We feed complete layer feeds on our farm because they are formulated to provide all 38 nutrients hens require at the correct levels. It’s reassuring to know that each bite of feed is balanced to keep our hens healthy and producing quality eggs.

Content courtesy of Patrick Biggs, Ph.D., Nutritionist, Companion Animal Technical Solutions

Bear Creek Country Store will be closed on July the 4th.

The 4th of July is a time for family, friends, and reflection on the values that make our country so remarkable. It’s also a day to honor the sacrifices of those who have come before us and to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy.

Happy Independence Day!

As of June 11 those used to buying over-the-counter common agricultural antibiotics for livestock at the local feed store will be required to obtain a prescription before purchase.

What is the new rule?

The Food and Drug Administration recommends manufacturers of medically important antimicrobial drugs that continue to be available over the counter and are approved for use in animals, both companion and food-producing, regardless of delivery mechanism, to voluntarily bring these products under veterinary oversight or prescription marketing status.

By June 11, labels of the remaining over-the-counter antibiotics for livestock use will be required to read: “Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian,” and the purchaser must have a prescription or drug order to buy it.

What antibiotics does this affect?

Prescription-only items will include injectable tylosin, injectable and intramammary penicillin, injectable and oral oxytetracycline, sulfadimethoxine and sulfamethazine, gentamicin, cephapirin and cephapirin benzathine intramammary tubes.

How and where can these items be purchased after the rule goes into effect?

Individuals with veterinary-client-patient relationships, VCPR, may purchase antibiotics directly from their veterinarian or from a distributor with the vet’s prescription.

What constitutes a VCPR?

Three requirements must be met:

(1) The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making clinical judgments regarding the health of the animal and the need for medical treatment, and the client has agreed to follow the veterinarian’s instructions.

(2) The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the animal’s medical condition. This means that the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal by examining the animal or by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept.

(3) The veterinarian is readily available or has arranged emergency coverage and follow-up evaluation in the event of adverse reactions or the failure of the treatment regimen.

What’s your advice to livestock owners without a VCPR?

Producers who already have a VCPR in place and purchase their animal health products through their veterinary office or through other distributors under an existing prescription system will likely notice little change. However, this may have significant impacts on how the livestock owners can access antibiotic therapy for their animals, so contact your local veterinarian as soon as possible.

Are there any specific instructions that should be given to livestock show exhibitors?

Livestock exhibitors, like all producers in animal agriculture, are responsible for understanding animal treatment regulations. For junior shows, students complete the “Quality Counts” quality-assurance curriculum that stresses the importance of VCPR.

What health/medical items can livestock owners continue to purchase over the counter?
Most vaccines, dewormers, injectable and oral nutritional supplements, ionophores, pro/prebiotics and topical nonantibiotic treatments will not require a veterinary prescription. However, there are some exceptions. Always read the label.

Below is a list of products that are impacted by the new law effective June 11, 2023.

Common Agricultural Antibiotics Requiring a Prescription

Products without new Rx label may be purchased AFTER June 11 without a prescription while supplies last.

Cepharin Based Active Ingredient

• ToDay Mastitis Treatment for Lactating Cows by Boehringer Ingelheim
• ToMORROW Dry Cow Mastitis Treatment by Boehringer Ingelheim

Lincomvcin HCl Active Ingredient

• Lincomycin 300 Swine Injection by Durvet

Oxvtetracvcline Active Ingredient

• Duramycin 72-200 Injectable Antibiotic for Cattle and Swine by Durvet
• Liquamycin LA-200 Injection by Zoetis
• Noromycin 300 LA by Norbrook
• Oxy 500 Calf Boluses by Boehringer Ingelheim
• Terramycin Calf Scours Tablets by Zoetis
• Terramycin Ophthalmic Ointment for Animal Use by Zoetis

Penicillin Based Active Ingredient

• Penicillin G/Norocillin Injectable by Durvet

Spectinomycin Active Ingredient

• SpectoGard Scour-Chek by Bimeda

Sulfonamides L Sulfa Based Active Ingredients

• Albon Cattle Boluses by Zoetis
• Sustain III Boluses by Bimeda

Ivlosin Active Ingredient

• Tylan 200 Tylosin Antibiotic for Cattle and Swine by Elanco
• Tylan 50 Injectable Antibiotic by Elan

Please work with your local veterinarian to obtain a prescription for these products prior to visiting us for these products. Thank you, we appreciate your support.

Source: Texas A&M Extension AgriLife Today

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