How much protein do hens need?

Thank you for all of the help. I really appreciate it. They do not get vinegar. I will try the oats and game bird.

chickengeorgeto said:

2 x on what Michael said. The only thing that I could add is keep a 20% laying ration with 10% Calf Manna and 10% of a good quility small chunk dry dog or cat food in front of your hens at all times. Hens that pull and eat roosters' hackle and saddle feathers are usually displaying a protein shortage or else they need minerals.

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Thank you for all of the help. I have used Calf Manna on my horses. Is this the same one? Where can we get minerals for the girls? Thank you again

Cknldy said:

Their laying feed has 16% protein so when boss is given too it ups the protein level. It's like adding meat, scratch or yolks for added protein in winter

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If the feed is 16% protein and the BOSS is 16% protein the out come is still 16% protein.

Chris

crabby chickens said:

Thank you for all of the help. I have used Calf Manna on my horses. Is this the same one? Where can we get minerals for the girls? Thank you again

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The Calf Manna that you gave your horse is the same stuff but isn't all that good compared to other products out there.
For poultry a much better option would be either,
High Octane Show Supplement http://honorshowchow.com/product_pdfs/hsc_pdfs/High Octane/High Octane Champion Drive Sell Sheet.pdf
or
Purina Fish Chow http://wildlife.purinamills.com/products/ECMD2-0017380.aspx

Most of the time when a chicken is eating feathers it is one of two things.
(1) They have either Mites/ Lice
(2) There lacking animal proteins in there feed.

If it was me, I would dust them with a good poultry dust, then put them on a good quality poultry feed that has animal proteins in it.

Chris

I'd call up Purina and ask if they could guarantee the fish meal is Ethoxyquin free. One must be careful not to use too much with supplements like Calf Manna. I tried it as a supplement years ago and the birds wouldn't touch it.

does not sound like a protien problem to me. it sounds much more like a vitamin or mineral issue. it could also be related to the freshness of the feed.

Up the protein to 21% layer feed and keep the scraps.

I have a similar problem! I have 1 roo and 4 hens. It started a couple of months ago when one of the hens started pecking the feathers of the others, and they would just sit there and let her do it! And now they're all doing it. A couple of them have bald patches at the side of their necks (not sure whether this is from the roo or the pecking), their backs are becoming worn by the roo (making saddles for that) and the rest of their neck, tail and breast feathers are covered in peck marks, they look such a mess! Funny thing is though that it doesn't seem to bother anyone but the roo when they peck! They have plenty of room and They're on 16% layers feed and used to have kitchen scraps as well but I've cut that out, for the last week I've given them a high protein treat in the afternoon every other day (today it was scrambled eggs and meal worms). Is that too much? Not enough? I've been using anti-peck spray for a few weeks but I don't think that's working, and I've now started to use blue antiseptic spray on the worst affected and bald areas. Am I doing enough? Is here anything else that might help?

I would suggest trying some if the suggestions in this thread. Feed a 20% feed, or mix turkey grower or game bird feed with your layer feed. Make sure the feed has some animal protein in thre ingredients. Feeding high protein treats every other day isn't enough.

Also, have you checked them for lice and mites? A natural treatment for these is to douse them with fireplace ashes.