5 year old hen dietary advice

[Yuki]

Is 2 rolls to much then I use black oil sunflower seeds and with a crack corn it caused my hens to stop laying all together I'll add more ftuits and veggies to their diet then. And is it normal to see a hens breathing movements with their tail bobbing only when roosting. Sorry for all the questions. And I also do Vaseline daily when it's below 32 at night

I would really limit that plain sunflower seeds. Either mix it with a bit of cracked corn or even a bit of bird seed. Sunflower seeds can cause a lot of internal fat. I think a roll a day isn't too much but you could try mixing it up with other things they might enjoy that are a bit better for them like fruits or vegetables. Tomatoes, grapes, watermelon, cucumber, lettuce, to name a few things are also good treats. Scrambled eggs can add a protein boost. My chickens love a bit of dry old fashioned oatmeal. So maybe mix it up a bit.

 

[Crazydoglady99]

If they cant access grass, consider sprouting wheatgrass/barleygrass/oat grass for them.

 

[Yuki]

I understand thank you so much for giving me this advice. I love these hens very much. And can force feeding an old SICK hen kill them... At the time it was summer and she wasn't drinking or eating I had no choice...

 

[Yuki]

If they cant access grass, consider sprouting wheatgrass/barleygrass/oat grass for them.

I actually pick grass for then to eat by hand by the cup fulls in fall spring and summer

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Your hens main diet should be a good balanced ration. At their age they are best eating either a non medicated starter grower or a all flock ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs. Treats should come second to a good balanced ration. If treats cause you hens to stop laying than they aren't getting enough daily protein to support egg production.

 

[Yuki]

Last time I did oyster shells they wouldn't eat it I'll give it a go thank you again but I am feeding them layer feed do I need to change

Your hens main diet should be a good balanced ration. At their age they are best eating either a non medicated starter grower or a all flock ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs. Treats should come second to a good balanced ration. If treats cause you hens to stop laying than they aren't getting enough daily protein to support egg production.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Last time I did oyster shells they wouldn't eat it I'll give it a go thank you again but I am feeding them layer feed do I need to change

They will not consume a lot of oyster shells. They will eat less when fed a layer. If your hens are no longer daily egg producers they shouldn't get all that extra calcium daily. I personally never feed a layer because I have multiple generations of birds together. If you are feeding daily treats and a layer ration than you will dilute your daily protein too much as layer is formulated to be fed as the sole ration, generally with 16% protein, which is daily minimum requirements. So if you are feeding a layer than you shouldn't feed extras.

 

[Yuki]

I understand so stopping all together is best and only keep fruits and veggies just thank u for responding I just want to give them a long and happy life that I can will I'm in college and working part time a at bk ironically

They will not consume a lot of oyster shells. They will eat less when fed a layer. If your hens are no longer daily egg producers they shouldn't get all that extra calcium daily. I personally never feed a layer because I have multiple generations of birds together. If you are feeding daily treats and a layer ration than you will dilute your daily protein too much as layer is formulated to be fed as the sole ration, generally with 16% protein, which is daily minimum requirements. So if you are feeding a layer than you shouldn't feed extras.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

No need for oyster shells. As far as them being too fat, can't say as pictures can add 10 pounds to ya. Personally, I wouldn't change their diet too much, being older hens now it can possibly stress out their bodies more and harder for them to adjust compare to your younger and more energetic cockerels/pullets.

 

[Crazydoglady99]

Rolled oats, or steel cut oats, actually contain more protein than eggs. They are great for feeding (all of the time), so if you think you might not be feeding enough protein, try adding oats. (Also very cheap!)