Hi there.
I'm gonna help you out a little bit here..
First if you want a higher protein feed that's organic you will likely need to go with a non medicated STARTER or a game bird feed. There simply isn't enough demand for organic in flock raiser YET.
Boss, and boiled eggs are both fat.. with eggs coming in at 34% protein and 64% fat according to energy/calorie count not volume!
Too much flax can give your eggs fishy flavor.
Most vegetables will DIMINISH protein
Oyster shell on the side free choice does NOT mess with their calcium intake and may even extend their life span, not taxing the kidneys when it isn't needed. I never use layer since discovering the difference. The ONLY time soft shells happen are new layer hiccups relative to the shell gland and NOT nutritional intake. My elder birds have softer molts now!
Most grasses are between 7-16% protein at least the hay types available to me with alfalfa being the highest in calcium. Corn is about 7% protein.
Peas are between 20-22% protein depending on type, growing field, etc.
Noting some of the amino acids required by poultry NEEDS to be animal derived sources.. and not all are created equal.. Our mostly vegetarian formulas have them synthetically added in
Corn and soy can both be found in organic AND are important sources of energy ALL over the world.. unless one has allergy issues maybe just buying organic is enough instead of avoiding them completely?? Soy is an important source of protein for many, though I too am not personally fond of it.
Treats and enrichment are fine at below 10% of the total daily intake. Otherwise, try not to kid yourself that you're somehow balancing things better for them than what the professional avian nutritionist already did.
Consider using a supplement
on occasion like Rooster Booster brand Poultry Cell product or Rooster Booster brand Poultry Booster product are both good products IF needed or desired for a boost. NO supplement should be given more than 10 days in a row.
You do not need to grind anything for your birds.. if you'e gonna give them some crickets.. they are very low nutrient but high entertainment value.. get live ones.. meal worms too, if you're gonna do them are MUCH more enjoyed by the birds.. my flock turns it's nose up at dry meal worm but really go after the live ones.
So my end point here is this.. energy comes from only 3 sources.. protein, fat, and carbohydrates including fiber. PLEASE be sure you know what the other values are.
As much as many of us like to poopoo layer, according to all the information I've seen it is formulated to meet a laying chickens needs well.. However, us keepers who aren't commercial keepers tend to give "healthy veggies" QUACK!!!, which diminishes the formulation. Giving the link to merck vet manual avian nutrition, notice the blue tables on the right side of the page..
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...t-poultry/nutritional-requirements-of-poultry
Okay.. so one more possible suggestion.. find an organic starter and MIX with your layer to equal the protein you are happy with.. still keeping you flaked OS available. OR get the organic STARTER.. offer it wet as a mash or dry.. in the form of an enriching daily treat instead of fully switching.. Tada.. higher protein snack fully formulated for chickens.. they WILL notice the difference I have used higher protein game bird starter to do this before.. noting that they just smelled more like soy, my birds still liked it.
There IS a limited return factor.. excess protein becomes extra smelly, expensive waste.. and EXCESS protein can contribute to gout and kidney failure in the same manner excess calcium CAN, though different forms. So just remember to consider the WHOLE situation and not take one piece and run with it like many tend to do.
22% protein was shown to give the highest hatch rates, which also says to me more nutrients in the eggs my family is consuming. Too much protein decreases hatch rate respectively. So do you best to keep it balanced and don't be fear mongered into something even worse than you realize.. like fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome caused by excess intake of energy from ANY source.. and ALL those condition are USUALLY with a genetic predisposition PLUS nutrient deficit.. Sorry, TMI.. really..
How big is your flock, what are their ages, gender, breeds? 17% layer SHOULD be decent choice.
Make a scratching area/ semi deep litter in their run if you haven't already.. it invites bugs and worms to the party.. and they will pick out what they want plus have fun digging around looking for them.
Consider sprouting anything you can.. your boss, peas, barley 15% protein, wheat, etc.. sprouting/fodder.. again is for enrichment NOT nutrition.. but it can be a fantastic adventure (not flax, it turns to paste) for both the keeper and the flock especially since they aren't able to free range.. but yes, grass clippings that are fertilizer and herbicide/pesticide free are always fun in the run. If you're gonna give lettuce, cabbage, etc.. maybe hang it so they have to jump just a little.
Sorry so long, I'm not expert.. just a passionate keeper with too many things I'm avoiding doing while I spend time on the web.
