Feed for laying silkie hens

[Katieskerlong]

Hi! I’ve recently gotten into silkie bantams after owning other standard chickens for years. When I first got the three silkie hens they were laying but after about a week, only one is still laying. I know that moving to a new home and the up and down weather can effect egg laying but I’m also wondering if the feed I’m giving them may have an effect? They’re currently eating flock raiser 20% protein, I believe purina brand. I’ve recently started giving them oyster shell also on the side. They have access to fresh water daily and graze some in the grass too. Not as much as my other chickens tho because I’m worried about hawks and other predators since they’re a lot smaller than my other chickens. All are supervised throughout the day tho. Anything I need to change? Or does this sound okay? I will add that I have two silkie roosters so I need to sort that out.
Pics of my lovely ladies below.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

There are no studies I am familiar with specific to Silkies.

That said, if you are providing a free choice calcium source on the side (as you are w/ the oyster shell), the 20% CP Purina (likely "Flock Raiser") is nutritionally superior to the typical Layer feed across the board.

The primary factors in laying are amount of light daily, age of the bird, breed of the bird, how long they've been laying this cycle, health/illness, THEN feed. But chickens don't like change.

If there are no hidden nests, if they are in the middle of their current laying cycle, and your light levels are at least about 14 hours/day, if they are otherwise healthy, then recent stress is the next most likely cause of a pause in laying.

 

[Katieskerlong]

There are no studies I am familiar with specific to Silkies.

That said, if you are providing a free choice calcium source on the side (as you are w/ the oyster shell), the 20% CP Purina (likely "Flock Raiser") is nutritionally superior to the typical Layer feed across the board.

The primary factors in laying are amount of light daily, age of the bird, breed of the bird, how long they've been laying this cycle, health/illness, THEN feed. But chickens don't like change.

If there are no hidden nests, if they are in the middle of their current laying cycle, and your light levels are at least about 14 hours/day, if they are otherwise healthy, then recent stress is the next most likely cause of a pause in laying.

Thank you. I suspected as much but I wanted to make sure the feed was a good choice for them.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi! I’ve recently gotten into silkie bantams after owning other standard chickens for years. When I first got the three silkie hens they were laying but after about a week, only one is still laying. I know that moving to a new home and the up and down weather can effect egg laying but I’m also wondering if the feed I’m giving them may have an effect? They’re currently eating flock raiser 20% protein, I believe purina brand. I’ve recently started giving them oyster shell also on the side. They have access to fresh water daily and graze some in the grass too. Not as much as my other chickens tho because I’m worried about hawks and other predators since they’re a lot smaller than my other chickens. All are supervised throughout the day tho. Anything I need to change? Or does this sound okay? I will add that I have two silkie roosters so I need to sort that out.
Pics of my lovely ladies below.

I have been raising and breeding silkies for many years. I always worry about their being prone to vitamin deficiencies and diseases, so in addition to feeding 20% Flock Raiser crumbles by Kalmbach, I have always supplemented their feed with 1/2 dose of Rooster Booster granules. They have oyster shell in a separate dish.

Ours free range, and their scratch is Kalmbach's Henhouse Reserve, a layer feed they think is a treat. They get minimal treats other than occasional scrambled eggs, very rarely cooked rice, pasta, oatmeal, and fermented grains. Anything extra, such as ours free ranging, is taking away from their eating their feed as it is.

Your feed I think is fine for them though. They are gorgeous!

 

[Katieskerlong]

I have been raising and breeding silkies for many years. I always worry about their being prone to vitamin deficiencies and diseases, so in addition to feeding 20% Flock Raiser crumbles by Kalmbach, I have always supplemented their feed with 1/2 dose of Rooster Booster granules. They have oyster shell in a separate dish.

Ours free range, and their scratch is Kalmbach's Henhouse Reserve, a layer feed they think is a treat. They get minimal treats other than occasional scrambled eggs, very rarely cooked rice, pasta, oatmeal, and fermented grains. Anything extra, such as ours free ranging, is taking away from their eating their feed as it is.

Your feed I think is fine for them though. They are gorgeous!

Thank you! I appreciate your comment.