advice on feed for 18 week old chicks

[georget]

Advice please from more experienced members.I have 6 Old English Pheasant Fowl that will be 18 weeks old next week.I was going to put them onto layers pellets but then i thought well they wont be laying for a while over the winter so should i keep them on growers.Im told they are slow to mature anyway so will they benefit from the growers for a while longer. What do you all think. Thanks in advance.

[Willow]

I've never kept this breed so have just 'googled' them..
Beautiful birds! and you're right they do seem to mature slowly, poss not laying till they're 7 months old!
To be honest I wouldnt have a clue re your quetion, and its a good one.. If no one on here has an answer for you, couldnt you contact breeders to get some definate advice?

Personally I'd keep them on growers until they're mature enough to start laying.. but thats just my opinion..

[georget]

Thanks Willow I dont think it can do any harm to keep them on growers a while longer,probably february before they think about proving me with eggs.

[manda]

I agree...if they're not laying they won't need the extra calcium.....you could always get some limestone flour in and if they start laying add it to the growers so it just bumps up it's calcium content....then you won't waste any growers.

[georget]

Thanks Manda I thought they should be OK but they are my first chickens and its always best to seek advice.By the way your post came at 6.30 am what time is it there.

[aceface]

I love this breed my friend has these and fed the regime manda suggested with success post a pic

[manda]

Thanks Manda I thought they should be OK but they are my first chickens and its always best to seek advice.By the way your post came at 6.30 am what time is it there.

No worries....there's 13 hours time difference between NZ and the UK at the mo .