All Flock Higher Protein Feed vs. Layer Feed

[21hens-incharge]

Mine waste the pellets like crazy.

I feed Purina Flock Raiser in crumble form.

 

[happyhencamper]

We were using layer feed for our hens until we got baby chicks. We then switched all of them to starter/grower feed and supplemental calcium is always available. Now that all of the hens are laying we are trying to decide if we should switch them all over to layer feed or stay with a higher protein feed with supplemented calcium?
I know people do it both ways and I’ve love to hear your thoughts based on your own experiences as to which seems to work best.

I have this same question. My chickens were eating feathers so I went to tractor supply for a high protein feed. I don’t think the guy new much about chickens. He gave me meat bird feed. 22% but it sounds like there are better choices. I always have oyster shell. I will look for one of the brands mentioned

 

[Folly's place]

About 'grit': I think that in England 'soluble grit' is oyster shell, the extra calcium source, and 'insoluble grit' is rock for their gizzard digestive system.
Here we call those little stones 'grit' and the oyster shell is that separate item. Feeding back egg shells won't be enough for laying hens, which is why that dish of oyster shell is so important.
Mary

 

[TooCheep]

Feeding back egg shells won't be enough for laying hens, which is why that dish of oyster shell is so important.
Mary

Just to be clear:
Recycled egg shell + layer feed provides plenty of calcium. I had a couple of hens develop thin egg shells on layer feed + some free ranging without egg shell.
Recycled egg shell + flock feed is insufficient and needs oyster shell to provide sufficient calcium.

Edit: The first way of feeding is only good for actively laying hens. The second way of feeding has the bonus of being good for a mixed flock (mixed ages/sexes/inactive layers/etc).

 

[cincyfarmgirl]

All Flock, 20%. I have a mixed flock. One rooster. Old hens, spent and not laying. Pullets at Point of lay. Twelve layers. Oyster shell and grit on the side in separate containers. Afternoon snack of scratch, BOSS, dried mealworms. Everybody is well and happy.

Well, it sounds like 20% is the consensus of opinion for feeding layers. My 16% is possibly just too low, especially for these hefty large Brahmas. Thanks.

 

[lagrange chicks]

Nutrena has a feed called hearty hen 18% protein and soy free, my girls seem to like it.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Well, it sounds like 20% is the consensus of opinion for feeding layers. My 16% is possibly just too low, especially for these hefty large Brahmas. Thanks.

20% is the consensus opinion here on BYC for most purposes - the assumption being mixed flocks, mixed breeds, mixed ages, sometimes mixed gender (and often, pets). All production layers w/ commercial goals, or all meaties for freezer camp have differing needs, of course.

 

[lagrange chicks]

I have one hen who has an issue with shell less or thin shelled eggs. I switched from all flock because it has no calcium and this hen won't eat oyster shells, it has seemed to help her by avoiding the all-flock feed.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have one hen who has an issue with shell less or thin shelled eggs. I switched from all flock because it has no calcium and this hen won't eat oyster shells, it has seemed to help her by avoiding the all-flock feed.

Alternative option is, if you know exactly which bird it is, to supplement her directly with calcium tablets, or with a "private breakfast" of mash laced with calcium in some form.

I find it necessary to supplement older layers with calcium even with the option of layer feed as they just don't seem to process calcium as well as they used to, and don't intake enough on their own to make up for it.

 

[TeresaW]

I’m curious, what do wild chickens do for calcium?