feeding laying hens

[A.T. Hagan]

Free-choice of a good quality complete layer ration and the pasture they get from daily tractor moves. Nothing else.

 

[AAJ]

I do not have hens specifically for laying but I suggest get a layer feed and some oyster shells on the side. good luck.

 

[jingle]

Thanks so much for the info. It's been ages since I've had chickens. I'm sure I'll have more questions as time goes on. Jingle

 

[stcroixusvi]

We have 22 chickens, and probably go through a 50 lb bag every other week, plus some scratch and veggie scraps. They have 24/7 access in the coop but we also have 3 troughs outside that we fill in the morning and in the afternoon. With pecking order issues, we want to make sure everyone has access to as much as they need. We free range supervised most afternoons about an hour before they roost.

What I found interesting is that even with free access inside, the chickens always empty the troughs. I do think that after the hens lay, they pick a bit at the feeder inside.

 

[lambchicks]

I have noticed something in the past week that I have not noticed in the past. Egg production is picking up (more light), so you would think they would be eating more. But on the afternoons when mine get to free range the do not eat as much the next morning. I am going to keep an eye on this. Have any of you noticed anything along this line?

 

[vlflower]

Looking for an opinion....

About 3 weeks ago, the store that I get my feed had closed for a week and I didn't realize they were doing this. My girls (6 RIR & 6 SLW) had been laying steadily through the winter despite the shorter days. Usually they have full access to their layer pellets 24/7 and generally get an afternoon treat of whatever leftovers we have. Unfortunately, they ended up going about 3 days without their layer pellets when I ran out. I increased the amount of leftovers and gave them more cabbage also to supplement them until we got the pellets.

Once I got the pellets, I stopped with the leftover treats for about a week, figuring that it was better for them to get back on the layer feed steadily. They have now pretty much boycotted me and I have only been getting one egg every other day for the last week and a half.

I have noticed an increase of RIR feathers in the coop and run, so I'm assuming a couple may be starting to molt. They all act fine and I have not found any other signs of illness.

I'm assuming I just really screwed up their systems, but how long does it usually take for them to kickstart their laying again? I figured by now they'd be back to normal with their laying and I absolutely refuse to buy store eggs now!

Thanks for any input.

Vicki

 

[stcroixusvi]

The same thing happened to our chickens when I changed the BRAND of organic feed! Picky eaters, and creatures of habit. They stopped laying for a couple of days. I switched back and gradually mixed in the new with the old so that I could get rid of it, but not enough so that they went on strike again. funny birds....I don't think it screws up their system, they just conserve what they need and if not enough is left over to produce an egg, no egg.

 

[jingle]

Our girls hatched 12/14/11 and we were wondering about introducing scraps. What kind of scraps do they particularly like?

 

[MiksMom]

@jingle, I'm brand new to chickens, so anybody else eel free to chime in if I'm feeding something I shouldn't - but they have had raw mushroom stems, celery, apples, dry cereal & crumbs, birdseed and bread crusts. They ate everything, definitely went for the mushrooms first and celery last when there was more than one thing tossed out. They seemed to really like the mushrooms, then apple bits (no seeds).

We have a little bucket under the sink and whatever kid crumbs I sweep off the floor plus any veggie stem cuts go into it. We don't have a lot of leftovers or waste, so they don't get alot of food treats. I've been meaning to ask the grocery store if I can pick up the scratch/dent fruit and veggies when I'm in, but haven't yet.

 

[vlflower]

There is a list somewhere here on BYC of recommended chicken treats. But in the meantime, mine get all sorts of leftovers and scraps. Turkey/chicken carcasses, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, any veggies (no onions), bread crumbs, meats....I really haven't found anything that my little trash compactors wont eat!

They generally have pellets 24/7 and they get there treats in the afternoon. I use one dish that I use and when they see me headed their way its a free for all to see who can get to me first. I have a couple of them that actually fly up and land in the dish while I'm still holding it!