Feed suggestions for older hens

[Blessedwithhens]

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[nuthatched]

Whatever non calcium feed you like plus oyster shell on the side for the layers.
You can order bulk feed through tsc.

 

[nuthatched]

I should have mentioned that. I do offer oyster shells on the side, 2 different kinds, I have for years, however I’ve never seen any of them eating it or even peck at it. I freshen it up with new every so often otherwise it just sits there. Suggestions?

For what, exactly?
If they're getting calcium from the layer feed, they may not need it.
a good way to feed birds of all ages and lay cycles is a calcium free feed and oyster shells.

 

[NatJ]

a good way to feed birds of all ages and lay cycles is a calcium free feed and oyster shells.

The correct feed would be low calcium (around 1% calcium), not actually calcium free. I assume you know that and just mis-typed, but I don't want anyone else getting mixed up.

 

[nuthatched]

In

The correct feed would low calcium (around 1% calcium), not actually calcium free. I assume you know that and just mis-typed, but I don't want anyone else getting mixed up.

Yep, thanks.

 

[nuthatched]

Well the ladies haven’t been laying a lot. My 2.5 yr bantam was occasionally laying, but not her normal sized eggs. she would lay tiny yolkless fairy eggs this spring, then started laying soft shelled eggs, then stopped for a while and is now laying fairy eggs again (I’ve been giving syringing her calcium to see if that helped and that’s when the fairy eggs started up again).
Truthfully having Non-layers is fine by me (they are such hard workers and deserve to retire) as long as they are healthy and happy they can retire, however I just wonder if it’s the heat or feed or age all of the above causing them to lay much much less. It’s been super hot (100 plus for 2 months) and I’m hoping that’s the issue and not a calcium deficiency. I haven’t found any calcium free feed anywhere, but lower calcium (.7-1.3 in flock maintainer), what’s a calcium free option? Thoughts on the lack of lying?

None of your birds are terribly old while it could just be a lay reduction ,it could be the summer heat or molting. Lack of calcium doesn't cause a hen to stop laying, a lack of all over nutrition or protein will, though.

 

[NatJ]

I haven’t found any calcium free feed anywhere, but lower calcium (.7-1.3 in flock maintainer), what’s a calcium free option?

The flock maintainer sounds good. That is the right amount of calcium for chickens that are not laying eggs. They still need some calcium for things like maintaining their own bones, even when they are not laying eggs.

 

[Blessedwithhens]

None of your birds are terribly old while it could just be a lay reduction ,it could be the summer heat or molting. Lack of calcium doesn't cause a hen to stop laying, a lack of all over nutrition or protein will, though.

What about the yolk-less fairy eggs and soft shelled eggs I mentioned? Could lack of calcium cause these things?

 

[NatJ]

What about the yolk-less fairy eggs and soft shelled eggs I mentioned? Could lack of calcium cause these things?

Lack of calcium can cause the soft-shelled eggs, but not the no-yolk fairy eggs.

 

[theoldchick]

In older hens, soft shelled eggs can mean the shell gland is misfunctioning due to hormone changes or infection. You can feed them all the calcium you want but shell quality will not improve. Some chickens will develop further illnesses and succumb to the infection and others will survive and stop laying eggs. You can feed them All Flock feed and offer oyster shells. They may or may not eat it.