Feed for hens

[Packie]

Hey guys,
Over the winter my 4 leghorn girls have gotten thin they get fed a basin of rolled barley every morning and a head of cabbage twice a week. I want to fatten them up a small bit any suggestions on what to feed them? I heard that buttermilk will help, i was thinking mixing barley and buttermilk and throwing it into a basin every day.... Thanks everyone

 

[sourland]

Barley alone is not a balanced diet. Provide them with some sort of a laying ration for optimum conditioning.

 

[missnu01]

Is the barley all they get? Or do you feed that in addition to their food?

 

[Packie]

Sorry I forgot to mention that I feed them layers pellets also

 

[Packie]

I mix the barely with the layers pellets

 

[CluckAcres]

have you heard of fermenting feed? Search fermenting feed in the search bar above. It really helps alot.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Up their protein. Laying feed is usually around 16% protein and cutting in the barley is going to lower that even further. You can usually find a grower, flock raiser, non-medicated starter or a game bird feed that will have anywhere from 18-22%. You can also look at the protein source and look for animal proteins rather than soy. If you go off a layer just make sure you have a calcium source, like oyster shell on the side. Otherwise you are fine.

 

[Sandstorm495]

Mealworms is great as pure protein

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Mealworms is great as pure protein

x2. great and cheap and easy to farm at home.