I have 3 pullets that are now 12 weeks old.They seem happy in their new coop and 10ft x 10ft pen.I have been feeding them scratch and layer pellets twice a day,however they will not eat the pellets until there is absolutely nothing else to eat.For some strange reason,none of the feed stores around here carry pullet developer-pellets or crumbles.How important is it for them to get the developer until they start laying? I finally found a source for developer,but I have to get a 50 lb bag,3/4 of which will never be eaten.I hate to waste but I want whats best for my birds.Can anybody help?? LOVE this site! thanks

Eggsforme--Get the 50# sack of developer! Your 3 little pullets should not be on a Layer Ration of any kind at least until they start to lay! But the Developer (I use Purina Start and Grow, which bridges the developer ration) you can feed until the sack is gone--even for months after they start to lay. Scratch will not help them grow or be productive. It is for "extra" after they have eaten their fill of "Starter" or "Grower" or Layer. It is low protein and is not a complete feed for anything! Like candy for kids, just because they like it and will not eat a nutritious feed if they can have scratch--well, kids and chickens do not know about nutrition!!! And for the next months, save your pellets until your pullets are full grown. My bantams will not eat pellets, and they may not be at all comfortable for young pullets, either. Good luck, CJR

Hi, in addition to CJR's wise advice, I've read that giving your birds layer feed, especially the younger they are, can possibly kill them or badly damage their kidneys. This is due to the high calcium content in the layer feed. They need this extra calcium for egg production. Like CJR, I also feed my babies and pullets Purina Start and Go. Maybe you could go to their web site and find a dealer near you. Good luck!

CJ,thank-you so much for your advice,I will get some developer crumbles asap.I can possibly buy a sack in the next county...my stupid county feed stores don't carry ANY kind of developer feed .I think because there are probably 1000 or more chicken houses in this county,and it's all commercialized.In my (panic) to get my pullets some good nutrition,I let them free range outside of the pen this evening for a couple of hours,which they enjoyed immensely!Turned them in hour before dusk and all happy.1st time outside pen,gonna eventually let them roam backyard all day.CJ U R Great!

Thanks HannahH for your advice.You and CJ have been a big help! I did manage to get a 50lb sack of Purina start and grow--non-medicated.My pullets ate it pretty good...however,HannahH you are hitting home with your comment about damage...the nice lady at feed store who sold me the feed said that feeding pullets layer feed will damage their reproductive organs.My birds have been eating layer feed (not very much,though) for almost 3 weeks. I bought layer feed from the guy I bought the chickens from (he has a small feed store,too) because he was out of everything else and he said it would be (fine) to feed them layer. I suppose he just wanted to make a couple bucks,not caring about the chickens.I hope my girls will be ok.

I'm curious to know what % protein is contained in the Purina Start n Grow.

I purchase Nutrena products locally and they recommend an All Purpose Grower Developer feed for pullets. The All Purpose has 17% protein, 0.85 - 1.35% calcium, and 9% ash. In comparison, their 16% Layer ration has 16% protein, 3.5 - 4% calcium, and 17% ash. There does not appear to be a difference for all other ingredients.

Is a 3% difference in calcium really enough to damage their organs? If pullets and hens are living together, is it better to give All Purpose (low calcium) feed to all or Layer ration (higher calcium) to all?

Steve, If you must feed the same feed to young and laying birds, choose the lower calcium feed, as you should suppliment the laying hen's ration with oystershell and grit, anyway. Even the 4% may not be enough for older hens, especially. The layer ration MAY stimulate the reproductory system of young pullets, which may result in egg production problems later on. This is my understanding of these specially formulated feeds, when fed as their whole nutritional needs-- CJR