16% protein enough for pullets starting to lay? What about Dumor?

[karmical]

Wondering what the consenus is out there for the %age of protein in a "complete" feed as pullets start to lay?

I've read posts here that say they feed as high as 20% to layers, but I'll be darned if I can FIND a feed that's that high in protein and isn't a "concentrate" that needs to be mixed. (My girls don't free range and I'm not up for mixing my own.)

Right now (17 weeks old) they're on Agway grower at 14.5% and I've noticed they eat feathers that are laying around the coop/run (they haven't been feather picking though). Wondering if going to 16% is a substantial enough change as far as an increase in protein?

Was planning to start mixing layer feed into their current feed next week so they can gradually get used to it over a few weeks time. In the past when I've switched feed, they've had a good week's worth of loose poop even if I mixed the old and new over a week's worth of feeding. Would like to do it more gradually this time so maybe that won't happen as much.

I've heard that Dumor makes a quality layer feed (@ 16% protein). Does anyone have an opinion about them?

 

[nccountrygirl]

Use can get Flock Raiser thats 22% from any feed store

 

[BantyChickMom]

I use Dumor layer crumble 16% protein for my bantams, and they seem to do fine.
I am also using it for my 2 red stars that have just recently started laying, so hopefully it will work for them too.

 

[schmoo]

I use Dumor 16% and I have so many eggs I don't know what to do with them all..........

 

[pitzerlady]

What is a good source of protein to mix with layer feed? Oats and/or corn? ty

 

[spottedtail]

Neither oats nor corn are a good source of protein.
Oats are about 12% and corn is like 8 or 9% only.

Getting a higher protein layer (say 20%) and combining it with oats to lower it to 17-18% is an old method to help against feather picking.

spot

 

[speckledhen]

Most layer is 16% unless its for gamebirds or a mixed flock. That is fine for a regular laying flock, but I like the 22% I'm using right now because it still has animal protein in it and they are molting, plus I'm selling hatching eggs from some of them and this is more of a breeder/layer type feed for increased hatchability.

 

[EggCentric]

I use the Dumor 16%, haven't had any problems. I also give them dry cat food mixed in with it, ( 9 lives) And black oil sunflower seeds, I wet it all down just to moisten it.

 

[karmical]

Thanks everybody. My girls aren't having a real molt yet or providing hatching eggs, so it sounds like the Dumor 16% wil do the trick for us. Good to know others have had success with it. Think I'm also going to give the black oil sunflower seeds a try. Seems like those are good for lots of reasons