Does “point of lay”, ( p.o.l.) mean the bird has started to lay?
No if a bird is sold to you at pol it does not mean it is starting to lay right now.
So what is each stage and when will my hens start laying?
It might be easier to take each stage in terms of their feed,. As a newly hatched chick after a day or two the chick starts on “chick crumb”. When it reaches six weeks, it moves on to “growers”, And finally as it reaches pol at 16 weeks it moves on to the final stage “layers pellets”. The pol period is 16 weeks until the bird start laying. Normally 21 wks.
And so I would buy a pol bird between 16 and 21 weeks?
Yes if it is younger, or older, you should be told.
And it is on “layers pellets”?
Yes…..and it is very important it stays on only “layers pellets” for at least three months. And only after this time can you introduce (in small quantities) “treats”….that is mix grain, wheat, corn etc.
Why is this important to keep the hens on layers pellets?
Because although the bird has reached the third and final stage in the food chain, at 16 weeks to 21 weeks, it is still a developing bird…..and “layers pellets” has everything for 6he birds development…..meaning a healthy layer of good strong shelled eggs.
Should I feed hens “grit”?
Grit provides calcium for the egg shells. It is also necessary for the birds digestive system. Layers pellets is a complete balanced food/diet, including grit….therefore no need to add this. As the bird becomes older it may be necessary to offer some additional grit…..as the bird ages the calciuym required for egg shells may cause a calcium deficiency in the older hen.
How would I provide grit?
Can be bought, or picked up from the sea shore and broken down, …and popped into a tin can on the hen shed. The birds will take it, if and when they need it.
