A frequent question we get here at the Snohomish and Monroe Co-Op is “When is it time to switch growing chickens over to a Layer Feed Ration.?” The answer is simple: “When your chickens start laying eggs.” The main difference between a Grower Feed and a Layer Feed is the protein content and the calcium content. Grower feeds have more protein to support growing birds. Layer feeds have less protein, and include a calcium supplement to support strong eggshells. If your flock has mixed ages, always feed to the youngest member of the flock. You can always provide a calcium supplement, like oyster shell, on the side for your laying hens.
If your birds are accustomed to the crumble of a grower/starter feed, they may not recognize that pelletized feed is something to eat. To introduce your new egg-laying flock to a pelletized feed, mix their crumbled ration with the pellets in the same feeder. It may take them a couple days, but your hens will quickly realize that layer pellets are just as tasty and satisfying as their crumbled grower feed. And don’t worry, if your chickens never become accustomed to pelletized feed, layer rations are available in crumbles to suit everybody’s preference.
Here at the Snohomish and Monroe Co-Op, we love our House Brand Snoco Layer pellets milled by Conway Feed. A pioneer in animal feed manufacturing, Conway feed is located in Conway, Washington. Locally and family owned, Conway mill has been supplying farmers with livestock feed since 1919.
Our Snoco Layer Pellets have a generous 18% protein content. The extra protein will do a lot of work to boost your chicken’s egg production. Milled to order, our Snoco Layer pellets are always fresh, and minimally processed with steam. They never have binders, artificial flavors, or preservatives. We are proud to offer our House Brand Snoco Layer Pellets milled by Conway Feed available at both the Snohomish and Monroe locations.
If all of your chickens aren’t laying eggs yet, bring home a bag of Snoco Chick Starter milled by Conway to keep your flock healthy and happy. Always freshly milled with a 20% protein content, and niacin supplement to support healthy leg growth, Snoco Chick Starter is suitable for many classes of poultry, including chickens, ducks and geese.
Find our entire line of our House Brand Snoco feeds, including Layer Pellets, Layer Crumble, and Chick Starter, milled by Conway at both our Snohomish and Monroe Locations. Don’t forget your supplements like oyster shell, grit, and kelp meal to keep your birds strong, healthy, and producing lots of delicious, farm-fresh eggs.
