Feed Ratios

[aborland5280]

Hello All!

I am wanted to provide my chickens with some variety. They have to be penned up due to a dog problem in our area. My chickens are pretty good layers. They are also fluffy and shiny (and I’d like the keep them that way).

To give them a little more variety and extra vitamins/minerals/oils, etc., I’m wanting to change up their feed ration a bit. My flock is growing and I’d like to have them on a consistent diet. Right now, they eat a 2:1 ratio of layer pellets to sorghum (my husband is a farmer and we set aside grain every fall for chicken feed). However, we are almost out of sorghum and I need to make a plan.

So, I was thinking a 1:1:1 diet of layer pellets, black oil sunflower seeds, and cracked corn/scratch grains. Thoughts? Will this be enough for laying hens? I also give them greens and vegetable scraps from time to time.

Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

A layer ration is usually 16% protein which is daily minimum requirements. Adding too many extras can dilute that too much. I personally feed an 18% ration which gives me room to feed some scratch. Mine is a cracked corn sunflower mix. I also offer whole corn. Don't feed too much as sunflower seeds as they are very fatty and can lead to internal fat, especially in confined birds.