Transitioning Your Birds to Layer Feed this Fall

As the crisp air of fall settles in and the days begin to shorten, ensuring your flock is getting the proper nutrition is essential. Whether you’ve got young birds from this spring or older hens in your coop, transitioning to the appropriate feed is vital to keeping your feathered friends healthy and productive. At Martin's Feed Mill, we’re here to help you navigate this seasonal change with our expert tips and top-quality feed options.

1. Transitioning Spring Birds to Layer Feed

If you added new birds to your flock this past spring, it’s time to start thinking about transitioning them to a layer feed. Around 18-20 weeks of age, pullets are generally ready to switch from a grower feed to a layer feed. (A pullet is a young hen that is not yet laying eggs but will soon.) This change is crucial as it ensures your birds receive the appropriate nutrients, particularly calcium, essential for strong eggshells.

Martin’s Feed Mill recommends making this transition gradually. Mix your grower feed with our specially formulated layer feed over a week to help your birds adjust. Our layer feed is packed with suitable protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients to support egg production and overall health.

2. Preparing Older Birds for Molt

As daylight decreases, you may notice that your older hens begin to molt. Molting is a natural process where birds shed their old feathers and grow new ones. This process requires a lot of energy and protein, which can lead to a temporary slowdown in egg production.

To support your birds during this time, we offer our high-protein layer feed called Full Plume. Full Plume is specifically designed to help birds recover from molting faster and return to regular laying. Its high protein content provides the building blocks for feather regrowth, ensuring your hens stay healthy and beautiful even during the molting season.

3. Why Choose Full Plume for Your Flock?

Full Plume isn’t just any feed; it’s crafted with care to meet the unique nutritional needs of your birds during stressful periods like molting. Here’s why you should consider it for your flock:

High Protein Content: Supports rapid feather regrowth and helps birds recover from molting.

Balanced Nutrition: Contains essential vitamins and minerals to support overall health and boost immunity.

Encourages Laying: Helps maintain egg production even during the molting period, so you don't experience a significant drop in egg supply.

4. Tips for a Smooth Transition

Observe Your Birds: Keep an eye on their condition. Healthy birds will have bright eyes, clean feathers, and be active. Any sign of stress or illness should be addressed immediately.

Provide Fresh Water: Always ensure your flock can access clean water. Proper hydration is vital for digestion and nutrient absorption.

Offer Supplemental Lighting: To keep egg production up during the shorter fall days, consider providing supplemental lighting in the coop to mimic longer daylight hours.

Visit Martin’s Feed Mill Today!

At Martin's Feed Mill, we understand that your birds are more than just animals; they’re part of your family. That’s why we’re committed to providing you with the best products and advice to keep your flock happy and healthy year-round. Stop by today to pick up a bag of our Full Plume feed and speak with our knowledgeable staff about all your poultry care needs. Together, we can make sure your birds thrive this fall and beyond!

Stock up on quality feed for your flock and enjoy a special treat for your hens! For a limited time only, when you buy any two full-sized bags of Kalmbach branded layer feeds, you’ll receive a FREE Henhouse Reserve block (regular or seasonal)!

Promotion valid during September 2024. See store for details.

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