Feeding the hens question

[eggiefarmer]

My 15 hyline brown pullets have been laying wonderful brown eggs daily since August. All of their combs and waffles are still bright red but some have pale yellow legs. What can I feed them to restore the yellow? They currently get free choice Purinia Layena crumbles daily, 1 cup of stratch grains every other day and free range.
BOSS several times a week. Its very dry in AR right now so they are having a hard time finding fresh green grass.
Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Their legs will continue to bleach as they lay through the season, you can't stop it. They will recover their color during the yearly adult molt. I found sex links do better on a higher protein feed due to their high production, something with 18-22% protein. Otherwise they can become deficient.

 

[eggiefarmer]

Their legs will continue to bleach as they lay through the season, you can't stop it. They will recover their color during the yearly adult molt. I found sex links do better on a higher protein feed due to their high production, something with 18-22% protein. Otherwise they can become deficient.

Thanks! I will look for a higher protein crumble when this bag is finished.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That's one way to tell your better producers if you have yellow skinned chickens. As they lay eggs they draw some color from their skin to color the yolks. The legs aren't the first area to be bleached, it goes in a certain order. If I remember right the vent area is the first area affected. It only works with yellow skinned chickens but the more eggs they lay the more they bleach.

 

[eggiefarmer]

Would Purinia Flockraiser be ok?

 

[steve232]

Would Purinia Flockraiser be ok?

Flockraiser would be fine but you'll need to offer them oyster shells on the side for them to eat as needed to keep your egg shells from becoming soft. The 20% protein in the flockraiser will be good for all your chickens and its especially good if you have a rooster.