All Flock feed issue.

[RoosterML]

@Shadrach you do make a good point about high production hens possibly not doing so well on a non layer feed.

 

[RoosterML]

So all the pullet eggs are fine but all the other eggs are weak?
Or is it just one or two hens that are laying weak shelled eggs?

I believe so yes the Pullet eggs are much better.
I think to @Shadrach point it may be my high production hens suffering from all flock as they are currently my main full size egg supplier. I would say all the full size eggs are weak(ish).

 

[aart]

I think to @Shadrach point it may be my high production hens suffering from all flock as they are currently my main full size egg supplier.

Ahh, I didn't realize you had high production birds(did I miss that part?).

 

[RoosterML]

Ahh, I didn't realize you had high production birds(did I miss that part?).

No you didn’t miss it . I didn’t mention it. I guess I just figured they would just eat more oyster shells.

 

[RoosterML]

You guys n gals rock I think you all may have come to a reasonable conclusion to
the issue.
Maybe we all need to make a disclosure as far as recommending (all flock) type feeds to high production hens. Maybe the lower calcium feeds is not enough for them?? What say you?

 

[jolenesdad]

Hey @RoosterML did your layers run with your Moyers broilers?

I just made this switch too when my meat birds got up in numbers and everyone just ran together. At first I tried to keep the feed separate but the layers were eating the meat bird feed too. It’s been about 8 weeks and I had multiple soft shell issues but It had to do with the fact they don’t range as much in the heat.

I know it’s inadvisable but I mixed oyster into the feed in the knee coop and I put it out everywhere they hung out. A couple weeks later I took it out of the food and now eggs are fine and they’re eating the OS. Maybe give them more time? If you keep raising youngins you’re going to want to be away from layer feed.

 

[jolenesdad]

You guys n gals rock I think you all may have come to a reasonable conclusion to
the issue.
Maybe we all need to make a disclosure as far as recommending (all flock) type feeds to high production hens. Maybe the lower calcium feeds is not enough for them?? What say you?

Totally agreed. My leghorn I would feed egg shells specifically back to. They definitely need more calcium.

But they need to learn to like OS anyway. Lol. Sometimes I’ll have leghorns that go soft when they range a lot. A little layer feed for them doesn’t even cut it. I only have one leghorn right now and she is doing fabulously on an all flock.

 

[aart]

No you didn’t miss it . I didn’t mention it. I guess I just figured they would just eat more oyster shells.

Oh, good, thought I was CRSing again

Well, they might not be eating enough....some birds just don't 'know' or may be being chased away from the OS feeder.
That's why I have 2 feeders of it and also toss some out.
I'd try that before going back to layer.

Not sure how many birds you have, how they are housed,
and how many are laying weak shells
(would be really good to know how many and who)
Figuring out whether it's a diet thing or a breed thing or a time to molt thing,
best to know the real problem before throwing solutions at it.

 

[RoosterML]

Hey @RoosterML did your layers run with your Moyers broilers?

The Moyers broilers are housed in an A- Frame style tractor out in the field. I do open the door to the Broiler pen during the day to allow them to run around. I should say wobble around!! They all do have access to the same field to free range. Every once in awhile I catch a layer or Roo in the Broiler tractor but not very often.

 

[RoosterML]

Oh, good, thought I was CRSing again

Well, they might not be eating enough....some birds just don't 'know' or may be being chased away from the OS feeder.
That's why I have 2 feeders of it and also toss some out.
I'd try that before going back to layer.

Not sure how many birds you have, how they are housed,
and how many are laying weak shells
(would be really good to know how many and who)
Figuring out whether it's a diet thing or a breed thing or a time to molt thing,
best to know the real problem before throwing solutions at it.

All great points. I am not switching back to only layer feed. I’ll do a 50/50 mix until I have shell quality return. After that maybe I will change ratio according to what I see. I don’t believe that bringing some layer feed back into play will hurt anybody. Before I could tell you which one laid which egg. Now with 18 birds total 3 Roos 15 hens and 5 chicks. I am not as good at telling who did what now. Kinda nice having the Legbar a no brainer with the blue eggs. She is not currently laying she is doing a great job at raising 5 chicks.