Are my chickens duds?

[aart]

I think I'll go grab a bag of 20% and switch back for a bit

Or mix (in the feeder only) with the 15% to use it up...half and half will get you 17.5%.
Sprinkle some of the 20% as 'treats'.
No need for OS yet.

 

[Doc7]

I do have a bag of oyster shells but was told not to give it to them until after they were laying, and then the ones that needed it would eat it. I think I'll go grab a bag of 20% and switch back for a bit

You’ve been told a lot of conflicting information given that you were also told to switch to layer at some number of weeks as you wrote previously. The layer feed has oyster shell bits in it that the hens are eating. So by providing it in the feed rather than than on the side they aren’t given the choice to
Self regulate.

Oyster shell on the side is far preferable to feeding a calcium laced feed to non laying animals. If they don’t need it they won’t eat it.

By the way they don’t eat a lot of it so don’t expect to see the can drop down a lot. I fill up a little 2” tall cat food can once a week it’s usually still half full. They’ll eat a bunch at first thinking it’s a treat but they learn.

 

[Jenab26]

update::
I found this beauty this afternoon while cleaning!! I'm guessing it's from my rescued bantam though as she was laying in the dog crate she was living in before she came to live with us!

 

[Jenab26]

You’ve been told a lot of conflicting information given that you were also told to switch to layer at some number of weeks as you wrote previously. The layer feed has oyster shell bits in it that the hens are eating. So by providing it in the feed rather than than on the side they aren’t given the choice to
Self regulate.

Oyster shell on the side is far preferable to feeding a calcium laced feed to non laying animals. If they don’t need it they won’t eat it.

By the way they don’t eat a lot of it so don’t expect to see the can drop down a lot. I fill up a little 2” tall cat food can once a week it’s usually still half full. They’ll eat a bunch at first thinking it’s a treat but they learn.

So if the layer feed does contain oyster shells, what should I feed them after they do start laying?
I did pick up 20% to add to the feeder so it ups protein some. I've been using the DuMor brand and staying with crumbles.

 

[BGcoop]

Congrats on finding that pretty egg!

 

[aart]

So if the layer feed does contain oyster shells, what should I feed them after they do start laying?
I did pick up 20% to add to the feeder so it ups protein some. I've been using the DuMor brand and staying with crumbles.

Layer feed doesn't necessarily contain 'oyster shell', but it does have calcium content of 3-4%......where starter/grower or all flock types have ~1% calcium.

You can either feed them layer feed.....or continue with the 20% and provide OS on the side.

 

[feathermaid]

What about your rooster? He's probably eating the layer feed too?

Layer feed is just meant for a flock of all laying hens. I think it's best to feed an All Flock or Flock Raiser as @Doc7 mentioned earlier that's meant for birds of all ages and genders. And also give oyster shell on the side... the roo and any younger birds will generally just ignore it. I also offer a container of grit too, just in case they don't find enough on their own while free ranging, and especially if they get extra treats -which shouldn't exceed 10% of their regular feed. Since a chicken typically eats ¼ lb per day... doing math... 10 birds? =2.5lbs= 40 oz ÷10... so not more than 4 oz total of grain or veggie scraps in a day.


Congratulations on your beautiful egg! I have 3 pullets over 33 weeks old and only one has started laying recently... and my older hen is taking a break for the winter. So unfortunately, I guess that's how it goes with chickens. Those eggs are a valuable and "seasonal" commodity!