Game feed for hens?

[Big dreams]

Can I feed my hens (a little under half are laying, some molting) Game bird feed, it is 20 % protein, the laying pellets are 16, and thats another question I heard they should be getting about 19 % protein from their layer, anyway I am confused! Thanks in advance.

 

[newchickengirl]

Ive done this a few times Myself...It will not hurt them as long as they are getting a balanced diet. To help with molting Ive also given them some can sardines and slamon to help as well.

 

[LovinMyHensInNC!]

I just finished a bag of game bird food on my 8 hens and roo. I decided to buy it because two of my hens decided to start molting and I knew I would not be going outside to give them high protein treats on a regular basis because of the horrible weather we have been having. I don't know if it is a coincidence but within a week, I have gone from 1-2 eggs a day to 5-6!! Four of my other hens went through a molt in the fall and they never picked up laying since but now they are!

 

[Big dreams]

Thank you, I did give them a can of Turkey

they loved it!

 

[catdaddy66]

Higher protein levels are a good idea to speed up feather formation during the molt. More protein is good for many situations encountered when you have chickens. I have heard about people starting and growing hens to POL w/ gamebird feed, but have no experience with that personally.

 

[chuckzoo]

I have started mine on Gamebird starter grower as they are thin and not eating much. But they don't seem to like it much. Mine has clumps in it and a starge smell, not like mold though.

I asked the feed store and they got it in 3 weeks ago and it was in a sealed/ resealable bag. Does it normally smell/look like this?

 

[95yj]

i keep all my birds on gamebird crumbles 100% of the time, never had an issue. Mine looks almost exactly like normal chicken crumbles and kind of smells like it too, not sure on the smell cause its been a while since i had to buy chicken food. When it's fresh and good my gamebird feed smells kind of like grapenuts. If its got clumps, smells weird or its moist i wouldn't feed it.

 

[Big dreams]

The game feed I bought doesn't have any more smell then the layer mix. I would wonder. Thanks to all
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