and just to reiterate this is not an attack @flwrldy just constructive criticism toward the feed you were doing the right thing, feeding the right stuff, and i LOVE that you had the necropsy done!!!
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Thank you !I use 17% layer pellets which my chickens take well. I notice the feed the OP is using has oat groves and seeds whole. My chickens will leave oat groves behind whenever they get the occasional treat of 5 way scratch grains. So, I would also probably switch to a layer pellet or crumble that has everything homogenized into each bite, just to keep them from selectively eating or any waste. Pam--Granny Hatchet, we all love you for your helpful comments and good humor.
Chickens use calories for energy to keep themselves warm. Corn does NOT keep a chicken warm. If they need more energy they COULD eat more of their BALANCED feed. But you offer me a bag of chips and I'll take it every time refardless of the nutrients inside. In other words they will eat to meet their energy need and not their nutrient need. Yes some days will be more and others less, often relative to the weather.Scratch and Peck Layer Feed (5% cracked corn added for winter months)
That doesn't seem to much depending on how many birds.1/8-1/4 cup scratch (amount depends on the day and their ability to free range)
3/4 - 1 cup Grubs daily
You sate you worm with DE... Total crud. Have you done before and after fecal floats to determine you load and species count to see if you even need to treat? Has ANYBODY who treats this way done before and afters???!You can read what I had been doing in my About Intro.
I love sprouting and growing fodder for my chickens! 1/3 cup each is another 1.33 cups/day. That seems excessive for 8 birds, to me. I guess I am picturing that being the pre sprouted measurement. Maybe consider doing an individual grain per evening so they get variety still but less excess. Maybe 1/2 cup each night of something different than the night before?1/3 cup each of sprouted Wheat, Barley, Oats, and Peas.
Is flock raiser okay though?I learned that the hard way myself. I fed corn and flock raiser every day. I culled a roo and it was coated in fat on every organ in his body. Then lost a hen to prolapse before I realized the corn was doing it . Treats 10% of their diet not 50/50 like I was doing .
flock raiser is my favorite. If hens are laying a dish of calcium on the side and they will eat what they need of it.Is flock raiser okay though?
Flock raiser is what I have used for years now. Every since I learned about dual purpose breeds verses light bodied layers and the 16% protein being the MINIMUM needed to sustain a light bodied hen laying. I also learned that too much calcium for my ladies who were molting wasn't ideal. But since then I have added a never ending supply of chicks to my flock. With all the broody's, chicks, and boys... it is a happy medium for my flock.Is flock raiser okay though?