Beginner question POL feed

[Cathpot]

Excitedly picked up 3 hybrid POL chickens today- 16/18 weeks. I asked the lady in the shop to help me collect what I needed and she gave me layers pellets. Now I'm home and reading up it looks like I shouldn't give them this yet? Lots of dire warnings about these pellets encouraging them to lay too early and they should be on growers pellets? I'm a first time chicken owner and feel a bit out of my depth. Any advice?

I fed mine layers from day 1 when I got them at POL and they are absolutely fine and lay well. I use Allen and Page organic which is in quite small pellets. You should be fine

Ok thanks- I panicked bought some growers feed in the end so I might as well keep them on that for a couple of weeks. We've had a lovely day with them today- they are really amiable which surprised me- not sure what I was expecting!

Can I ask do you buy your feed online? Limited choice where I am

That's nice! I have 3 chickens - the one we got at the youngest age is so friendly.

I bought my supplies online until recently - the company did local deliveries for free which was fab. Sadly they have stopped trading. I bought my last batch from a local farm feed/country store type place. The prices I could find online for delivery (20kg bag of feed plus big pack aubiose bedding) were redic! If you know the feed you want perhaps contact the manufacturer for suppliers? Allen and Page have suppliers listed online. Or maybe a local pet shop could order in for you?

Hope that helps

Sounds like you're sorted now, but they'll be fine to go on to layers!

It took me quite a bit of googling to find out that there's several places near us. One 'farm store' one 'country store' and one 'agricultural supplier' - try different search terms!

Lovely that they're already friendly - get some treats (corn) in and they'll be sitting on your knee and eating out of your hand in no time!

Thank you - that's all really useful. We've got mixed corn and they will literally run over now. They are very sweet and the kids have been stroking and picking them up which they've taken very well. So far so good.