16% or 18% Nutrena Feed

[628990]

So I switched from Dumor 16% to Nutrena Soy-Free 18%, due to molting and the colder weather. However, I am considering changing to the Nutrena 16% feed, since its getting warmer. I like the soy-free feed though, and cannot find another nutrena feed that is soy free. Only the 18% is soy-free.

I also read that soy is not good for hens..... True?

Even though the Nutrena soy-free bag says 'year round feed', I was curious as to which percentage of protein is best.

My hens all free range by the way, and they don't eat a ton of their feed, even in the winter. Every 3-5 days I top off their 3lb feeder.

 

[DobieLover]

I won't feed less than 18% protein feed. I feed Flock Raiser which is 20% and have made my own mix using fishmeal as the protein source. It targeted 19%.
I keep two containers of oyster shell available at all times.

 

[628990]

I won't feed less than 18% protein feed. I feed Flock Raiser which is 20% and have made my own mix using fishmeal as the protein source. It targeted 19%.
I keep two containers of oyster shell available at all times.

Okay! If my friends give meal worms as treats, and my hens are eating this 18% feed, could my hens get a kidney disease or some other disease, related to too much protein?

 

[3KillerBs]

Soy-free is a fad.

Some VERY FEW people have genuine medical allergies or sensitivities (there is an important medical difference), and LOTS of people follow the fashionable food-avoidance fad of the moment.^

Because the use of animal byproducts in feed is currently limited by cost/availability/regulation/customer preference, soy is used extensively for it's high nutritional value. @U_Stormcrow knows a lot more about this than I do.

Knowing that layer feed is meant to keep commercial laying breeds in high production for 1-2 years rather than to sustain the health of a breeding flock of backyard birds over time, I choose, based on advice from experienced people here, to feed my mixed flock 18-22% all-flock type feed with oystershell on the side year-round -- the exact feed I buy depending on availability.

^At my age I've been through Seafood is dangerous! Cows milk is dangerous! Soy is dangerous! Peanuts are dangerous! Citrus is dangerous! Gluten is dangerous! Soy is dangerous (again)! Nightshades (tomatoes/peppers/potatoes) are dangerous! Cows milk is dangerous (again)! Soy is dangerous (AGAIN)! and back around the cycle. IMO, it's all hogwash promoted by people trying to sell you expensive alternatives -- unless you've got genuine medical issues.

 

[628990]

Okay @3KillerBs thanks for explaining about the soy-free!
Now I just need to decide about which percentage of protein to feed... 16% or 18%?

I understand that some people switch protein percentages based on the season. I switched to the 18% since a few of my hens were molting, ranging from moderate to hard molts.

Can too much protein cause kidney failure or other diseases?? By too much, I was concerned about my friends feeding my hens mealworms, while the hens are eating an 18% feed.

 

[DobieLover]

20% protein is not too much. When you start getting up into 24% is when you can cause problems if feed long term.
Layer mix was formulated by the commercial industry to provide the MINIMUM amount of protein to keep a hen alive and producing eggs at a minimal cost. The hens are killed when they stop laying eggs for their first molt.

 

[3KillerBs]

Okay @3KillerBs thanks for explaining about the soy-free!
Now I just need to decide about which percentage of protein to feed... 16% or 18%?

I understand that some people switch protein percentages based on the season. I switched to the 18% since a few of my hens were molting, ranging from moderate to hard molts.

Can too much protein cause kidney failure or other diseases??

I don't think so but I'll defer to anyone more knowledgeable.

It's important to remember that layer is designed as a minimum, LOW-COST feed for hens who will live under commercial conditions and be culled at their first molt.

I believe that it's better to feed a less minimal diet, especially because I do not have the small, light, high-efficiency birds that layer was designed for and because I am breeding my flock.

 

[SheaLoner]

Soy-free is more of a personal preference. There is proof for Both sides. I feed soy-free because I can't stand the smell of soy when it goes rancid. Not a major factor with commercial mixes because of additives, but my local mill mix will go "off" in less then 3 months after milling with soy.

 

[628990]

Thanks for all the info. It really helps!
I was just very concerned about them getting too much protein from meal worms and their feed. Especially if my friends give them meal worms once or twice a day.

I thought that the higher protein is better, especially since they free range all day, and don't rely on feed solely. Every 4-6 days I will have to top off my 3lb feeder.

Also, I have had experience where more protein in my hen's diet results in better egg laying despite the daylight amount.

By the way, I have golden comets, leghorns, and barred rock.

 

[crowcrash]

Ooh, I'm passionate about food fights. I disagree that few people have food intolerance. Different people have different needs. It's just that it's easier to opt for Tums or deal with chronic poops than to change your whole diet, especially since the US in particular relies on a lot of pre-cooked/pre-packaged foods. I benefit off of people who need gluten free because of a certain sugar that my system can't handle (aside from being lactose intolerant, which 65% of the world is). Too much soy also sends me over the edge, so I need those almond milkers Sea food never stopped being bad for certain people because of mercury and parasites, and hormones put into dairy were actually causing hormonal changes in humans. I understand your point is about fads, which can be annoying when targeting people who have no need for those products, but there is often science behind the fads!

Anyway - chickens Soy is a really common filler in feeds. I've avoided it for my mammals, but in herbivorous reptiles it hasn't been any cause for concern, so I won't be avoiding it for my chickens.