confused about treats and laying,

[digitS']

The issue of balancing protein usually has to do with balancing soy and cereal grain protein . . . so that the hen ends up with "egg protein."

Most fruits are high in sugar and low in protein. The hen will eat what she needs in the way of calories but be deficient in protein to produce eggs.

Yes, there is also the balancing issue. Perhaps if they ate watermelon and steak every day the percentages would work out.

Steve

 

[phaethona]

can they get too much protein? would that affect their laying as well?

 

[Lovable Chicks]

My chickens won't eat BOSS...I tried and they refused. Should I try again?

 

[phaethona]

Quote:
At first mine didn't want it either, but I took some and put it in a food processor to chop them up a bit to kinda release the scent of the seed a little better and they LOVED it that way!
when I got tired of using the processor everyday, I started mixing half processed half straight from the bag, and then stopped using the processor altogether.
Now, when I go outside they practically flog me to get some BOSS!

definitely try it again! maybe try grinding it up a little or putting some in a food processor, they'll love it once they know what's inside those black shells!

 

[Lovable Chicks]

Thank you...I will try again. I hope they do take to them as it seems to be the best treat for them.

 

[digitS']

Quote:
I don't know about laying but excess protein must be voided thru the kidneys and that may become a health issue.

"High levels of protein in the feed can cause or contribute to the seriousness of gout. Under practical conditions this is unlikely to be a problem with healthy poultry because protein is expensive and therefore, protein levels are formulated very close to the estimated flock requirement. There is a large margin of safety between the protein requirement and the levels (approximately 35-40%) which will induce gout in healthy birds." Ralph A. Ernst, Ph.D. & Duncan McMartin, DVM, April, 1995.

86 page pdf: http://animalscience.ucdavis.edu/Avian/cpl1995.pdf

Steve

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

I have read that grass is what gives their eggs that beautiful color and Omega-3. I use 20% protein feed since I give my pullets as much grass/weeds as I can since I do not free range them (too many feral cats and other predators running loose in our neighborhood).

Mine get BOSS first thing in the morning...it is like candy to them. About once a week they get frozen yogurt/overripe bananas. They get any cantaloupe and watermelon rinds and a few leftovers or veggie peelings from our meals. They love bread but rarely get it. I feed peas and beans from my garden and when I had cucumbers they got the large ones.

Mine began laying the day/week they turned 16 weeks. One was a hold out but has joined the team now. We have been in the 100's for weeks but had an egg from each of the 6 sex links for most of the last 2 weeks--Lucille appears to be the slacker at times.

 

[macdoogle]

What great information from everybody. My chickens and older chicks stay in a run and small garden area all day. They get Universal lay feed. I've never heard of Boss but will have to find some. I give them king worms as treats. They practically jump on me to get them. I'm sure they find some bugs in their foraging but not many. Anybody else give their chickens king worms? they sure love them. I buy a 1000 at a time at the feed store.

 

[upthecreek]

Do you mean Meal Worms ? if not ..... i've never heard of King Worms , tell me more about them as i could not get info by googling them .
Thanks and i agree with you chickens need worms if not free ranging or some form of meat .


Quote:

 

[hudsonhousechicks]

I read somewhere, and I can only guess that it was on the BYC forum, that obese hens won't lay as many eggs. I honestly don't know how to tell if a hen is obese. Can a hen become obese? Anyhow, just a thought. Maybe your friend's hens weren't as healthy as they could be. Off subject a tiny bit - I work at a veterinary clinic and we see a LOT of obese dogs. Obese dogs have LOTS of health problems that fit dogs don't suffer from.