Change of feed?

[Mamachic1967]

Hello All!

My laying hens are now 30 weeks old and I believe I should have them off Layer feed now. What should I get for feed now? Nights are getting cooler and I am expecting molting to begin soon so I want to get them off the layer feed soon. What do you suggest I buy for feed?

 

[junebuggena]

Pullets don't usually molt for their first fall. As long as they are laying eggs, keep them on the layer. The seasonal molt doesn't happen until after they are over one year of age.

 

[Mamachic1967]

Really? Okay, I thought maybe I had to get them off of it because I was told Layer feed just forces them to lay. But yes they are laying faithfully daily. I will continue with the layer feed then. thank you for your response.

 

[dekel18042]

Really? Okay, I thought maybe I had to get them off of it because I was told Layer feed just forces them to lay. But yes they are laying faithfully daily. I will continue with the layer feed then. thank you for your response.

Layer or any food will not make them lay. It just gives them the nutrition their body needs when producing eggs.

 

[junebuggena]

Layer or any food will not make them lay. It just gives them the nutrition their body needs when producing eggs.

x2
There is nothing in layer feed that makes them lay. It's just a bit lower in protein then grower/starter feed and has a higher calcium content for good, strong egg shells.

 

[Mamachic1967]

Ok, thank you for the info. Should I add something more to the layer feed then so that they get protein as well since winter will be on its way and they won't be able to get outside in their pen.

 

[junebuggena]

They don't need extra protein in the winter, but they may need some extra calories. This is where scratch grains can be useful. It's mostly corn and few other grains, but it converts easily to energy for keeping warm.

 

[Mamachic1967]

I add scratch grain in with the layer feed now, so I guess I will continue with that. What should the proprtion be? 1-1 or 1-1/2, like 1 bag layer, 1/2 bag scratch grain?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Scratch should make up no more than 10% of the diet. 5% is better. And don't mix it with the feed. Scratch grains, under normal conditions, should be 'scratched for'.
Mixing scratch grains with feed on a 1:1 ratio would bring the protein down to 13% which is way too low for producing birds.
Worse yet than lowering the overall crude protein percentage, grains and most seeds are deficient in lysine, methionine, argenine and tryptophan. All of those are essential amino acids for chickens.
They'll eat more to try to satisfy those deficiencies leading to fat chickens from excess energy/carbs/fiber.

 

[junebuggena]

Scratch should never be more than 10% of their daily diet. It's low in protein and if they don't get enough protein, they can't make many eggs. It's completely unnecessary most of the time. And they won't need the extra calories unless it is very, very cold (sub-zero or teens).