Fall/winter feed

[K0k0shka]

16% is too low, scraping the bare minimum. You don't have to change feeds or percentages with the seasons. If you feed a 20% feed year-round, ideally a non-layer feed with calcium on the side, your flock will be all set and you won't have to change anything for seasons, chicks, roosters, retired/sick/molting hens, etc. I feed my mixed flock a 20% flock raiser feed year round, and they are happy and healthy. It's the Purina flock raiser and I'm very happy with it. You can also use a chick starter or grower, permanently.

 

[Titania207]

16% is too low, scraping the bare minimum. You don't have to change feeds or percentages with the seasons. If you feed a 20% feed year-round, ideally a non-layer feed with calcium on the side, your flock will be all set and you won't have to change anything for seasons, chicks, roosters, retired/sick/molting hens, etc. I feed my mixed flock a 20% flock raiser feed year round, and they are happy and healthy. It's the Purina flock raiser and I'm very happy with it. You can also use a chick starter or grower, permanently.

Good to know - thanks! I feel a little bad that I have giving them such low protein - although they go out most days and eat whatever they find in the woods/yard (including, horrifically, small toads) and also get canned fish 1x a week and bsf daily.

 

[K0k0shka]

Good to know - thanks! I feel a little bad that I have giving them such low protein - although they go out most days and eat whatever they find in the woods/yard (including, horrifically, small toads) and also get canned fish 1x a week and bsf daily.

It's okay, most people make that mistake at the beginning, because that's what's being sold and marketed as layer feed - the super low protein bare minimum feeds that were designed for large scale, commercial operations to get the biggest bang for their buck, not to support a healthy, long life. The 20% feeds are much better for backyard chickens. A good base to cover their needs even when they don't luck out with the occasional frog or other forage find.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

I know that this has been discussed but I cant find the answer I need so. I am looking for higher protein feed for fall (molting) into winter (Maine) for my 6 hens. I added turkey feed last season but they pick out and it isnt organic or non-GMO, which I prefer (most especially I do not want GMO).

This is what I feed them now (they also free range, eats bsf grubs, have various scraps):

Scratch & Peck Feeds Chicken and Duck Feed, 16%, Soy and Corn Free, Organic​

This is what I was thinking about for fall/winter?

Peterson Organic Feeds Chick Starter 20%, No Soy, Organic​

any thoughts? esp from those in cold climates. So looking forward to the cold!

the organic starter feed looks great! Good protein and the corn will give them carbs to keep warm during a very cold season. If you continue S&P feed make sure to give bugs and animal meat on a normal, unsalted.

 

[Altairsky]

Good to know - thanks! I feel a little bad that I have giving them such low protein - although they go out most days and eat whatever they find in the woods/yard (including, horrifically, small toads) and also get canned fish 1x a week and bsf daily.

It's still fine to feed them 16% protein feed if you feed them extra protein treats. Canned fish is perfect, meat kitchen scraps are great too. I'd just rise the amount to twice a week.
My chickens are stuffing themselves in gallons of kefir these days since I'm trying to heal some granules that went too cheesy! They're really happy.

 

[Titania207]

Some grasses are extremely rich in protein, and mulch is rich in bugs, so don't underestimate your chickens!

wow this video was very illimunating - I had no idea this was the % set by big ag, good lord... thank you for sharing!

 

[nuthatched]

wow this video was very illimunating - I had no idea this was the % set by big ag, good lord... thank you for sharing!

The percentage isn't set by "big ag", it's simple the most economical percentage for egg production on a large scale. Up until the last 10 years, there wasn't more than 4 option for feeding chickens, there simply wasn't any research and advancement in that area. Keeping chickens for longevity is a relatively new concept.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Interesting semi-relevant factoid from some literature review I'm doing for a class:

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/2/177 Bestman & Bikker-Ouwejan

This is from a research study done in the Netherlands on predation pressures on organic* and free-range egg farming. So expectations of productivity, even in this setting, is still only 78 weeks (18 months) to 82 weeks (about 19 months.) As the lowest number of hens on these farms was about 6,000, I doubt that they remain alive after this age, heading off to pet-food and chicken stock producers. Additionally, one of the measures studied was number alive when reaching the slaughterhouse. @BDutch and @Skyeknight may have more information on their fates.

Relevant to this discussion in that large-scale egg production and its accompanying economics is definitely not limited to caged birds.

*The study differentiated between "organic" and "free-range" while yet defining both groups as free-range. I am guessing that the difference is for organic certification purposes regarding feed, etc., but otherwise with essentially identical cultivation practices.

(edited to tidy up the citation)

 

[Skyeknight]

Interesting semi-relevant factoid from some literature review I'm doing for a class:

View attachment 4218270
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/2/177 Bestman et. al.

This is from a research study done in the Netherlands on predation pressures on organic* and free-range egg farming. So expectations of productivity, even in this setting, is still only 78 weeks (18 months) to 82 weeks (about 19 months.) As the lowest number of hens on these farms was about 6,000, I doubt that they remain alive after this age, heading off to pet-food and chicken stock producers. Additionally, one of the measures studied was number alive when reaching the slaughterhouse. @BDutch and @Skyeknight may have more information on their fates.

Relevant to this discussion in that large-scale egg production and its accompanying economics is definitely not limited to caged birds.

*The study differentiated between "organic" and "free-range" while yet defining both groups as free-range. I am guessing that the difference is for organic certification purposes regarding feed, etc., but otherwise with essentially identical cultivation practices.

Sadly I do not know that much about layers, as I am more interested in the broiler side. Organic should have more space per chicken available compared to free range. And indeed the food is different.

Large scale egg production is indeed not limited to caged birds, but that's doesn't necessarily mean they get other food (except for organic of course). If you can cut costs by using the same food as caged hens then that route will probably be chosen. They don't have to live more than a few years or have rooster in those flocks, so long term still doesn't matter. Point being, compare the food compositions if you really want to know.

My apologies that I can't really add anything to this conversation.

 

[BDutch]

*The study differentiated between "organic" and "free-range" while yet defining both groups as free-range. I am guessing that the difference is for organic certification purposes regarding feed, etc., but otherwise with essentially identical cultivation practices.

(edited to tidy up the citation)

The so called free range layers in the Netherlands are just not caged. Thats all.

The organic chickens have more space inside and the feed is organic . + If there are no problems with the bird flu they can go outside (at least 4m2 for each chicken). If there is a problem with the bird flu they have limited, covered outside space.

The organic hens get killed at 18-20 months old, similar to the non organic layers. Only a few get rescued and adopted by BY hobbyists.