Feeding hen that are not layingiva

[PattyO]

Got some good advice here about my hens that have stopped laying. Give a feed with less calcium and a moderate amount of protein. Went to Southern States because you can get some things out of bulk. Only 2 chickens. 50 lbs feed is too much. The girl I spoke to was no help at all. First she tells me they havent stopped laying they have just slowed down. Please they havent layed for about 8 mos. I guess she is stealing my eggs at night. She said to feed them scratch that it has everything they need. What? Went with grower finisher from Dumor, still a 50 lb bag. Maybe I should get a job at Southern States. Jeez!

 

[LoneOak]

How old are these birds? A 50 lb bag of feed is probably too much to be buying at one time for only 2 birds, it will get old and stale long before they can eat it all up. They do need a feed with about 16% protein to lay well, the calcium can be given as oyster shell free choice (in a sperate container from their regular feed) and they will get all they need. Grower finisher is not a good choice for laying hens, you need to be feeding layer feed with at least 16% protein, grower finisher is only for baby chicks that have never gotten old enough to lay. After they lay eggs for the first time they don't ever need to go back to grower feed.

The information the girl was telling you isn't far off at all from the advice you need to be following. I think you may have your info crossed in your mind regarding calcium and protein. If your birds aren't so old that they have stopped laying completely then you might need to take her advice and give them the Souther States Layer Feed as a main feed and a little scratch daily as a treat. for just two birds please don't buy 50 lb bags, much of it will go to waste.

The next time you post please don't be sarcastic with your comments though because it makes it difficult to understand exactly where you are coming from and what your concerns are. I'm not exactly sure what the girl at the store told you and what you actually did because of the sarcasm. Just the facts Mam, Please!!

 

[PattyO]

Sorry about that Lone Oak. Didnt mean to be too sarcastic but like I said these girls have stopped laying. It has been 8 mos. Give them scratch it has everything they need? Scratch is candy. Why would I give a non laying bird triple calcium. The Dumor grower finisher has 15percent protein and the calcium they need for maintenance, Of course 50 lbs is too much but what are my options?SS grower finisher was 20 percent protein higher than that in the Purina that I was feeding which was 16

 

[PattyO]

Hey Lone Oak check out Chicken Run Rescue tell me what you think

 

[jesirose]

I thought it was pretty clear from the post that the hens have completely stopped.

 

[PattyO]

Lone Oak check out Chicken Run Rescue and tell me what you think. Backed by an avian veterinarian

 

[LoneOak]

Patty, I did a search for Chicken Run Rescue and it is something that I don't really have an interest in because there are no abused chicks here at my place and it is located in Mn which is quit a way away from rural Georgia. If they are close by you there should be someone involved who could help you with your problem.

Now back to your non laying problem. How old are your two birds? What were the circumstances when they first stopped laying. I still believe if they aren't to old than something is WRONG about what you are feeding them and feeding a laying hen starter feed of anykind is WRONG. They need a good balanced diet designed for a laying hen. Starter feeds don't have all the things necessary for a hen to lay properly as they are designed for baby chicks that are growing, I doubt that your hens are still in the growing stage. As long as you feed them the starter feed they will not lay. For the final time, yes I am being blunt here, give them a quality laying feed with at least 16% protein. It really doesn't matter what the brand name is on the bag at this point just make sure it is called layer feed and in a couple or three weeks you should be fine.

I don't want to make you mad but we have to be stearn here and change something. You are doing something WRONG and it needs to change to get your hens back to laying eggs. If the birds are young enough , strong and healthy, with the proper laying feed not starter feed they should get back to laying soon. Ask the rescue people for help if they are close to you, I can't come over and see what is going wrong, I'm too far away.