Best way to feed up my hen?

[11mini]

After a tough molt and a bacterial infection I wanted to find a protein boost, also like the low sodium content.

 

[donrae]

Agree on the higher protein feed. Protein is what will help her gain some condition. Too much carbs will cause her to add fat, and the veggies are great for treats but won't really help gain muscle. Layer feed is the lowest protein feed out there, move her up to chick starter.

That bodes the question, were the chicks eating layer feed? That's not a great idea as it's hard for them to excrete the excess calcium, and they also need the higher protein boost for their growing bodies.

 

[krista74]

Agree on the higher protein feed. Protein is what will help her gain some condition. Too much carbs will cause her to add fat, and the veggies are great for treats but won't really help gain muscle. Layer feed is the lowest protein feed out there, move her up to chick starter.

That bodes the question, were the chicks eating layer feed? That's not a great idea as it's hard for them to excrete the excess calcium, and they also need the higher protein boost for their growing bodies.

Hi there,

No, the chicks were (and still are) on medicated chick crumbs. They will graduate to grower's feed in a few weeks time once the chick crumbs run out, and then onto layer's feed at around 18 weeks.

Momma doesn't seem to like the chick crumbs though, and actively seeks out the layers feed. Since she has resumed laying, maybe that's right for her? Should I seek alternative forms of protein for her as well?

I can't really see how i can give her chick crumb and keep the other girls away from it at the same time. It is medicated feed, and the label says we can't eat the eggs if our hens eat this feed.

Also, she is also the only girl in the flock whom I have seen eating the shell grit, so obviously she needs that extra calcium too.

Dilemma! Maybe I should just give her extra meat and scrambled eggs to eat?

- Krista

 

[krista74]

Often the first sign of worms is weight loss. Have you wormed your chickens lately? If you have what did you use?

Yes, we wormed all our flock about 4 months ago now. We used Syke's Big L Poultry Wormer which is a liquid that gets added to the flock's drinking water (available in Australia, but not sure about the US.)

I wormed them twice actually, 10 days apart, to make sure they go a full dose. It is to be repeated every 6 months.

I have seen no evidence of worms to date, and all the other girls are in good condition weight-wise.

- Krista