Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[Fancychooklady]

I have just looked up the protein percentage on my feed and it is quite low :/ I will be changing when this bag is finished. Thanks as I hadn't thought of that. Will be worming at the end of the week! There is no draft in the coop but we have had some very cool nights! I have been closing the pop door and getting up early to open it to keep out the draught. I feed calcium and grit both separately due to a mixed age flock.

You almost need a degree to sort the feed dilemma out. The fact is that many of the feeds on the market don't ' come up to scratch ' , pardon the pun. Even those that do have the correct vitamins and minerals added lose their goodness after just 2 months storage and can also be affected by moisture and humidity.
I am regularly adding a vitamin /electrolyte supplement to the water now . I've come to the conclusion that can't always trust what is printed on the bag.

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publi...ok/3/optimum-vitamin-nutrition-of-laying-hens

 

[smhoekzema]

You almost need a degree to sort the feed dilemma out. The fact is that many of the feeds on the market don't ' come up to scratch ' , pardon the pun. Even those that do have the correct vitamins and minerals added lose their goodness after just 2 months storage and can also be affected by moisture and humidity.
I am regularly adding a vitamin /electrolyte supplement to the water now . I've come to the conclusion that can't always trust what is printed on the bag.

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publi...ok/3/optimum-vitamin-nutrition-of-laying-hens

I know right! I thought I was doing well as it was a well known brand and is organic. Wrong! I should have done better research. Very frustrating

 

[vehve]

Fancy, wouldn't carbs be better for keeping the warmth? Something like corn added to the diet?

 

[Meeka3]

your chickens are beautiful, do you trim the feathers away from their eyes? Mine have a big top knot that completely covers their eyes and I had to trim it back so they could see.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Fancy, wouldn't carbs be better for keeping the warmth? Something like corn added to the diet?

A little corn in the winter months is ok but it is like ' crack ' for chickens. Full of calories and has no nutritional value at all.

 

[satay]

Fancy, wouldn't carbs be better for keeping the warmth? Something like corn added to the diet?

Everything I have read it is not true that corn will keep them warm or make them over heat. Too much corn will make them get too fat and perhaps that's the reason. I have heard of people adding cayenne pepper to help with feathers returning after a moult. You could try some canned tuna if you like or a few cat biscuits but not too many as they can be really salty. Fancy's idea of gamebird finisher is probably the best as it is high in protein.

 

[satay]

your chickens are beautiful, do you trim the feathers away from their eyes? Mine have a big top knot that completely covers their eyes and I had to trim it back so they could see.

My aras look like yours and I don't trim them. Not sure if Ash does.

 

[vehve]

Quote: If chicken feathers work at all like the fur of a dog, I'd say the introduction of fish oils, or any oils for that matter should do them good. Sure works for our labs. Instead of tuna, (which is preserved in vegetable oil), I might go with salmon oil or cod oil. More omega 3's and 6's.

Personally, I think the added protein (or fat) should be started before winter already, the protein would help build muscle and give the bird more mass, enabling it to stay warm better, and the fat would serve as an insulator. This is just theorizing without any experience.

In Finland, I'd say most birds are kept on something with around 18% protein, and they tend to do just fine through the winter. The previous sack of layer feed we used had a protein content of 17.3%. It's a widely used brand, both in small flocks and commercial flocks. For our landraces, a low protein food is recommended, in order to keep the growth rate slow. They're supposed to stay agile. Right now we're using a feed that I don't know the nutrient contents for, but it was organically grown on local farms, and looking at the make up, it seems to be pretty ok. Mostly oats, wheat, barley, peas and beans. We give them scraps and they forage a lot, so I'm going by the "I'm sure they know what they need" approach. Usually if you feed something a varied enough diet, it will do just fine.

 

[Ashburnham]

So I'm in Western Sydney and all the girls have pretty much stopped laying. I assume it is the shorter days, yes?? This is my first time with chooks and I was just wondering when I could expect that they will start up again? Also, should I be doing anything in this time to ensure they are in best condition for the next laying season and to help prolong their laying over their lifetime?

Laying is directly related to the length of daylight . I keep mine laying through the winter by having a light on a timer in their coop.
It gives them an extra hour of two of light in the mornings.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Mine get scraps as well but this feed is not only high in protein but it also has all the goodies they need for optimum health. The problem with a lot of feeds is that once they get over 16% protein they usually get too high in calcium for a mixed flock. Making them unsuitable for anything other than POL - layers.

http://www.lauckemills.com.au/poultry-game2.html