Changing feed?

[Thomaswgordon]

hi everyone. We currently have only hens in our flock but have been feeding Purina flock raiser crumble with supplement oyster shell because we originally had a rooster with them.

We haven’t been getting any eggs recently and 3 of them are less than a year old. Prior to this it was still pretty slow for first year layers and the other hens we have weren’t really laying at all, maybe a handful of eggs a month from 4 of them. (They’re 2.5 years old)

I recently saw people had been having issues with purina and egg production. I’m thinking of switching to nutrena, but curious if I should stick with all flock or try the layer feed?

 

[StinkyAcres]

The reduced egg production likely has nothing to do with the feed. While it's normal for the older hens to not being laying much, if at all, this time of year, it is slightly concerning that your pullets are not laying. I'd check them for mites/lice, bullying, or anything else that might be causing them stress. What breed(s) are they?

 

[nuthatched]

The 'Purina reduces laying' was nothing but internet gossip, which was started by one of those conspiracy gurus.
It's likely their age, which is about right for significant reduction, the time of year and there could be other issues.

 

[Folly's place]

Add lighting in the morning on a timer, or wait for the increased light in spring (March or April) to bring them back into lay. Also, the feed is great, but check the mill date on each bag at the store so you are feeding within two or at most three months of that date, not older feed.
Mary

 

[NanaK]

I recently saw people had been having issues with purina and egg production.

These rumors were not true. Many here myself included use purina and saw no difference in egg production.

I’m thinking of switching to nutrena, but curious if I should stick with all flock or try the layer feed?

I buy nutrena or purina, which ever is the freshest. I prefer the higher protein content of all flock. I always have oyster shell in a separate dish.

Layer feed has nothing special to make the lay more eggs. The main difference is it contains more calcium and only has the minimum required protein. I feel my birds do better with higher amount of protein. I also like that I can buy one feed type for all birds for all ages.

 

[Ridgerunner]

We haven’t been getting any eggs recently and 3 of them are less than a year old. Prior to this it was still pretty slow for first year layers and the other hens we have weren’t really laying at all, maybe a handful of eggs a month from 4 of them. (They’re 2.5 years old)

I agree, a time of the year issue. Some people seem to think that every first-year layer lays great through their first winter but that is not even close to true. Many do, but many do not.

I recently saw people had been having issues with purina and egg production.

I'm not sure if that is a conspiracy theory meant to disrupt civilization and throw us all into chaos or if someone just doesn't know what they are talking about. It is nonsense.

I’m thinking of switching to nutrena, but curious if I should stick with all flock or try the layer feed?

Two things to consider. Well three if you include price. Layer has all the calcium they need for eggshell production if all they eat is Layer. But if they eat many low calcium treats or forage for a lot of their food they may not get enough calcium from what Layer they eat. Whichever you feed I'd offer oyster shell on the side so they can get it if they need it. If they are getting enough calcium from other sources they may eat very little oyster shell. If they are not getting enough calcium they will eat more oyster shell. I consider that cheap insurance.

The other consideration is the protein content. I saw a 16%, 18% and 21% protein content for Nutrena's different Layers. Their All-Flock was 20% protein content. Some people absolutely believe that you need to offer a higher protein content. I personally don't but I'm a in a minority on this forum. Every outlet may not have all of these options available but they are there if you want to order them. Choose a percent protein that makes you happy.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I agree, a time of the year issue. Some people seem to think that every first-year layer lays great through their first winter but that is not even close to true. Many do, but many do not.

Yeah, that's why I asked for breed. In my 16 years of chicken keeping I've never had a first-year layer that didn't produce throughout the winter. The only time my young birds didn't do well was when there was a mite infestation.

 

[Thomaswgordon]

Thanks everyone for the input. The 2.5 year olds are a mix of RIR and barred rocks, earlier in the season I figured they should still be laying decent at that age. The new ones are SLW, OE and possibly a maran. Ok good to know feed is most likely not the culprit. I’ve never had success searching for mites or lice. If they’ve had either for this long shouldn’t I be noticing something else too?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

SLW aren't great layers, I've had several. OE are hybrids, so there is a lot of variation, but also often not great layers. My SLW didn't start laying till month 7, btw. I've never had Marans, but they are famed for their egg color, not size or frequency.

RIR and Barred Rock tend to be great layers, but as they come out of second adult molt and enter their third productive year, you should expect them to lay only abbout 50-60% as much as they did in their first year.

That, too, is normal.

 

[Thomaswgordon]

SLW aren't great layers, I've had several. OE are hybrids, so there is a lot of variation, but also often not great layers. My SLW didn't start laying till month 7, btw. I've never had Marans, but they are famed for their egg color, not size or frequency.

RIR and Barred Rock tend to be great layers, but as they come out of second adult molt and enter their third productive year, you should expect them to lay only abbout 50-60% as much as they did in their first year.

That, too, is normal.

Understand, but they were laying I feel much less than 50%. Their first year it was close to one egg a day from each. This past year was hardly 1 egg a week or more from each. And believe it or not, my SLW was the best layer this season after she started laying with laying almost daily.