Best feed for my hens to lay hatching quality eggs

[RustyHoosier]

Hello all, this is my first post. I've been trying to grow my flock of Marans. My hens just aren't laying quality eggs. Some have calcium deposits while others have softer shells. Then another hen lays dinosaur eggs, they are so big I cant tells the small end from the big end. They aren't good candidates for the incubator.

I even purchased eggs on Ebay from out of state farms. My current hatch started w/30 eggs...I ended up w/only 3 live chicks. Luckily I located a thread on BYC to educate me on how to help my last chick out of the egg that had dried out around her.

I currently feed them a layer feed mixed w/scratch & oats. I add brewers yeast & kelp to it. They have access to free range all day, they aren't out there all day due to there being no shade. And I supplement with kitchen scraps & fruit/veggies from my garden. They get lots of kale, cucumber, peaches, raspberries, pears, apples & cauliflower.

Anywho....my question is: what do you recommend that I feed my hens so that they lay quality hatching eggs.

I appreciate any advice you can provide.

Thanks from Utah

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You may get many different answers, but I would recommend a feed with 18% protein, either a non medicated grower, or an All Flock ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs. You are diluting the protein too much with the extras. I prefer my hens to self regulate their calcium needs. I see less shell defects on an All Flock than I saw feeding a layer which sometimes has too much calcium.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Anywho....my question is: what do you recommend that I feed my hens so that they lay quality hatching eggs.

Cut out the scratch and oats... (or sprout them) They are lower in protein and don't have added vitamins, minerals, AND amino acids that formulated rations do.

Switch to flock raiser or un medicated starter with oyster shell on the side. I ALWAYS feed flock raiser and never switch to layer... which has the minimum amount of protein (16%) to keep light bodied layers like leghorn in laying condition. This makes the feed acceptable for the chicks too, and my Marans are a broody bunch. Dual purpose birds like Marans will do best with at least 18% protein, and it even gets my birds through molt faster/better..
http://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/files/186894.pdf

22% protein has been shown to give the best hatch rates... Some places even sell a "breeder" formula that has 22% protein and still the same amount of calcium as layer.

All your garden stuff is nice enrichment but won't do much to increase your hatch. All are low in protein and high in water content.

I don't throw out any eggs just because they are round. I candle to see the air pocket... which can be done in a very dark location. I have even accidentally set one the wrong direction and discovered at candle half way through... and flipped to a fine hatch.

Happy hatching!

 

[RustyHoosier]

Cut out the scratch and oats... (or sprout them) They are lower in protein and don't have added vitamins, minerals, AND amino acids that formulated rations do.

Switch to flock raiser or un medicated starter with oyster shell on the side. I ALWAYS feed flock raiser and never switch to layer... which has the minimum amount of protein (16%) to keep light bodied layers like leghorn in laying condition. This makes the feed acceptable for the chicks too, and my Marans are a broody bunch. Dual purpose birds like Marans will do best with at least 18% protein, and it even gets my birds through molt faster/better..
http://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/files/186894.pdf

22% protein has been shown to give the best hatch rates... Some places even sell a "breeder" formula that has 22% protein and still the same amount of calcium as layer.

All your garden stuff is nice enrichment but won't do much to increase your hatch. All are low in protein and high in water content.

I don't throw out any eggs just because they are round. I candle to see the air pocket... which can be done in a very dark location. I have even accidentally set one the wrong direction and discovered at candle half way through... and flipped to a fine hatch.

Happy hatching!

 

[RustyHoosier]

So excited for your response. Thank you for taking the time to provide me w/this valuable information. I will begin sprouting & change from the layer feed right away.
Oh & I will begin keeping my giant eggs.
Thanks again,
Kelly

 

[RustyHoosier]

You may get many different answers, but I would recommend a feed with 18% protein, either a non medicated grower, or an All Flock ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs. You are diluting the protein too much with the extras. I prefer my hens to self regulate their calcium needs. I see less shell defects on an All Flock than I saw feeding a layer which sometimes has too much calcium.

 

[RustyHoosier]

Wonderful, thank you. I wish I would have asked this question months ago. I appreciate your time & much needed advice.

 

[Mosey2003]

Personally, I feed meatbird/broiler crumbles, as they're at least 21% protein AND part of that is animal-based, I feel strongly that that is important (to me). I feed that to everything unless I'm using medicated starter. I plan to get some Nutri-Drench for the water soon and see if that doesn't boost my hatch rate and chick health even more. I just had a 98% hatch on my eggs from birds eating the meatbird feed, so I'm really happy there, just going for optimum vitamin and mineral content with the Nutri-Drench addition.

 

[Evelyn's Mom]

I'm having fabulous luck with Nutrena Country Feeds Layer pellets.. I offer oyster shells and their crushed shells and they get an evening treat of oats with minced garlic and dried herbs...they also get some frozen fruit/ water ice pops in the summer and a some fruits/veggies. Plus they get some free range time almost every day.
That said, I don't have a rooster or raise chicks BUT I do make sure that treats are only about 10% of their diet. They are kept in until at least 2-3 pm so they've plenty of time to eat their wholesome pellets. I have only had one shell issue, one time, so I'd say they're getting what they need. I guess my advice is to be sure you're not over-treating.. it's SO HARD NOT TO!!!

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Personally, I feed meatbird/broiler crumbles, as they're at least 21% protein AND part of that is animal-based, I feel strongly that that is important (to me). I feed that to everything unless I'm using medicated starter. I plan to get some Nutri-Drench for the water soon and see if that doesn't boost my hatch rate and chick health even more. I just had a 98% hatch on my eggs from birds eating the meatbird feed, so I'm really happy there, just going for optimum vitamin and mineral content with the Nutri-Drench addition.

What kind of incubator are you using?