Feed question

[WaveyCreekChickens]

Quick question.
My hens are not laying. They are doing the “soft molt”.
I have been feeding fermented layer feed, but wonder if I should change it to a higher protein feed. Below are the options my feed store has. Thanks

Farm ChoiceTM RWA 25% Turkey/Gamebird Starter (Crumble)

• Farm ChoiceTM RWA 20% Poultry Starter/Grower (Crumble)
• Farm ChoiceTM RWA 16% Poultry Grower/Finisher (Crumble)
• Farm ChoiceTM RWA 17% Layer Ration
• Farm ChoiceTM RWA 38% Layer/Grower Supplement

 

[3KillerBs]

Quick question.
My hens are not laying. They are doing the “soft molt”.
I have been feeding fermented layer feed, but wonder if I should change it to a higher protein feed. Below are the options my feed store has. Thanks

Farm ChoiceTM RWA 25% Turkey/Gamebird Starter (Crumble)

• Farm ChoiceTM RWA 20% Poultry Starter/Grower (Crumble)
• Farm ChoiceTM RWA 16% Poultry Grower/Finisher (Crumble)
• Farm ChoiceTM RWA 17% Layer Ration
• Farm ChoiceTM RWA 38% Layer/Grower Supplement

A lot of people here like 18-20% all-flock so I'd expect the starter/grower to be a good choice.

Plenty of protein for their new feathers and not too much calcium.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Also depends upon whether they have free range time, and what (and how much, if any) treats you serve.
A high protein feed will act as a very good insurance policy that they receive all that they need, provided that you don't 'spoil them' with too much 'junk' food.
You could get some of that layer/grower supplement to assist them with feather growth during molt, and cut it with whatever you're serving now.

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

A lot of people here like 18-20% all-flock so I'd expect the starter/grower to be a good choice.

Plenty of protein for their new feathers and not too much calcium.

Ok, thanks!

Also depends upon whether they have free range time, and what (and how much, if any) treats you serve.
A high protein feed will act as a very good insurance policy that they receive all that they need, provided that you don't 'spoil them' with too much 'junk' food.
You could get some of that layer/grower supplement to assist them with feather growth during molt, and cut it with whatever you're serving now.

There are no more bigs to find outside now (snow cover).
Their treats are few, and not daily. I sometimes give some BOSS or hemp seeds.
That is a good idea to cut their feed with the 38% supplement. Thanks!

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

You could get some of that layer/grower supplement to assist them with feather growth during molt, and cut it with whatever you're serving now.

The supplement has 10% calcium, and the layer feed has 4% calcium.
Is this ok to give to chickens than are not laying, including the rooster?

 

[Ebony Rose]

The supplement has 10% calcium, and the layer feed has 4% calcium.
Is this ok to give to chickens than are not laying, including the rooster?

Check the calcium on the feed you are already giving.
The amount of calcium they will be getting will be based on weight of that feed, and the supplement feed.
Roosters and non-laying birds should be receiving about 2% calcium, so sounds as if they're already getting a super-whammy on that.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-of-calcium-for-roosters.1223017/
But... for future reference; when mixing feed, you can determine what the new percentages will be by weighing out the portions...
Let's say that 'Feed A' has 4% calcium
and that 'Feed B' has 10%

Now let's say that you will be using 9 parts of 'Feed A' and 1 part of 'Feed B' (by weight, not by volume).
Multiply the number of parts of each feed by the percentage of the nutrient (in this case, calcium), adding those figures together, then dividing the sum by the total number of parts.

9 parts 'Feed A' by 4 (percent) PLUS 1 part 'Feed B' by 10 (percent) = 36 PLUS 10 = 46. Divide this number, 46, by the number of parts... in this example 10 parts... to find out that it would increase the calcium in the feed to 4.6%.

Given that your flock is already receiving a lot of calcium, I wouldn't add that supplement to your flock's feed, opting for a lower calcium feed to mix with, instead.

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

Thank you so much @Ebony Rose ! That helps a lot!

 

[WaveyCreekChickens]

Correct me if I am wrong.
If I get the starter/grower @ 1% calcium (as my Feed A) and mix it with my layer feed @ 4% calcium (Feed B) at a 7:3 ratio...
7x 1=7
3x 4=12
7+12=19
11/10 = 1.9 % calcium total, which is the ideal for non layers.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Bingo

 

[Ebony Rose]

When your girls start laying, you can keep the same feed and simply offer oyster shell or crushed egg shell on the side. The birds that need calcium will eat it, those that do not need it typically ignore it. Chickens have a knack for knowing what they need and how to get it, when available.