Feeding Layer?

[kobesmom81]

I'm wondering how many people feed their hens layer? All of our girls are pretty young and most just started laying or will start laying soon. DH says I need to get them layer so that they will lay better. But I'm wondering how necessary this is? Don't chickens lay an egg everyday and slow down in the winter time? It's not like I am going to get 2 eggs everyday if I start feeding layer am I? If DH would stop trying to incubate every egg that is laid, that would help too! We have some where between 30-40 hens and roos. The little ones are getting starter, the big birds (hens included) are getting game fowl feed cuz thats what the majority of them are. Plus, they get scratch, oyster shell, oats mixed in with their regular food and treats. I really don't want to have to add one more bag of food to the shopping list but if it will make a difference I will do it.
This comes up because I am refusing to continue to buy eggs when I have a yard full of chickens!

 

[wendy]

we fed our starting out chick starter, then laying pellets and add crushed eggshells (oh, they get chops too) . my dh works offshore and i refuse to add a ton of different bags that i have to go and buy at the feed store and buy and bring hom myself to then put in the food storage shed at 50 lbs each

wendy

 

[gritsar]

It's simple really. Fed starter/grower until the time you get your first egg or 18 to 20 weeks, whichever comes first. Then switch to layer with supplemental oyster shell.
That way you're only buying two types of feed, starter/grower and layer. Even the roosters can eat the layer.

 

[digitS']

Quote:
What is "game fowl feed?"

Is this gamebird feed for pheasant and quail? I realize that it can be used for other fowl.

Are your 30 - 40 hens & roos something like Old English Game chickens? Is that why they are getting "game fowl feed?" I've never had OEGames nor do I know anything about them. Perhaps they need a special feed.

Quote:
Are you sure your husband spoils you when he won't allow you to eat the eggs from your chickens? He is "trying to incubate every egg" for . . . ?? . . . more mutt hens?

It looks like the poultry's nutrition requirements may already be covered in your feeding program.

Steve

 

[kobesmom81]

Yes Game Fowl feed is gamebird feed, outside of my silkies who are still eating starter most of the birds are OEGames that we rescued, a few bantams but mostly full size. And then the phoenix who is also eating game feed. It's one of those, "I really don't want to add one more bag of feed to the shopping list" situations.

And yes, I am still sure he spoils me! It's not that he refuses to let me eat the eggs, I just have to be quicker to get to the coop than he is. We both love our "mutts" and having more is not an issue so the fact that DH is turning into a hatch a holic is ok and we both enjoy having the little chicks around. Plus, once the chicks get bigger there will be no shortage of chicken in the freezer.

I bought a 50lb bag of layer last night and DH took about 6 hens and put them up in our big coop to be my layers. The rest will get thier regular feed and then everyone is happy. At least, I hope so.