Feeding I need your opinion

[jerryf]

I live in town so my layer flock is confined. I was feeding a layer mash and some left over pigeon 16% whole grains millet and Maple peas. My 6 Buff Orpington pullets started laying 5 eggs a day sometime 6. They also give leafy alfalfa, pulled green quack grass, grit and oyster shells

A week ago I added a bit of dry cat food and BOSS in the morning......so they have been laying for 4 months Now I get only 2- 3-4 eggs a day one day I got one!
Should I cut out the cat food, BOSS and go back to just layer mash, alfalfa, grit and oyster shells?
Hey I have had chickens for 50 years they always laid better than this.......could the poor laying ability be that they are from a breeder and not production type Buff Orps from a hatchery?

A part of me wants to get some Black sex links.....I had some a few years ago, very tame, quiet and very laid well.

Jerry

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

I think it is more the cat food. There is much for fats in cat food than chicken feed. They have a hard time processing the fats. That is what I have read anyway. Try going back to chicken feed and see if that corrects laying.

 

[chfite]

I agree that stopping the cat food would be a good move. Nothing in cat food that would otherwise be in the chickens natural food.

Chris

 

[Mrs. K]

hmmm - I have read several times here that cat food is a good addition to feed, as it is quite high in protien and can help birds over a molt

 

[Mrs. K]

I would look for a hidden nest, that is what has happened if mine drop suddenly.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

hmmm - I have read several times here that cat food is a good addition to feed, as it is quite high in protien and can help birds over a molt

Yes, upping protein to help with molt is good, but feeding cat food all the time, I don't know about that. They are chickens, not cats.