Have you done anything to improve egg production?

[Fred's Hens]

Won't answer for Chris, but only for myself.

The birds may "like" lots of "treats" and that can be anything from good greens to table scraps (usually high in salt, starch and fat, as that is the nature of human food) tp low quality "scratch" which is some combination of grains, but not universally defined as to makeup. They may like it all too much and such foods can quickly fill their caloric needs without providing the dietary requirements of top egg laying.

But if top egg production is desired, great feed is required. I want/need my hens to thrive, not just survive.

 

[speedy2020]

Quote:
Curious about this Chris - is this because the overall % of protein would tend to drop?

If you give them too much treat, they do not like eating the regular feed. I found my chickens stomach only half full so not enough to produce the egg next day. That why the production is low.

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Curious about this Chris - is this because the overall % of protein would tend to drop?

Some has to do with the Protein yes, but also the over all nutrition loss and imbalance.

Chris

 

[dianaross77]

I switched my Isas from flock raiser crumbles (20% protein) to layer pellets (16%). They stopped laying completely and all lost weight. I switched back to flock raiser and within a few days I got 4 eggs out of 4 hens. I'll be switching to layer feed when their feeder is empty but I'll be mixing it with turkey/gamebird feed (26%). They really need the protein.

 

[shepan2]

Great info about the "table scraps"...I noticed the change in egg production and didn't know why...but it's clear, the more scraps, the less eggs. Gonna cut back. Thank you!

 

[southerndesert]

Quote:
Curious about this Chris - is this because the overall % of protein would tend to drop?

Some has to do with the Protein yes, but also the over all nutrition loss and imbalance.

Chris

X-2 here... We learned a long time ago that to much "treats" will result in both egg production and shell quality issues. Our birds would simply not eat their layer feed opting to wait for treats and scraps and this resulted in problems overall.

We give some stuff to them mid-day but not allot as they "Self Treat" on bugs and who knows what while free ranging in the afternoons.

We as humans tend to show our love be it pets or livestock with extra food and treats, but often this is not all that good for them.

Edit to add...

 

[ChickenAl]

We've been averaging 6 out of 6 for a number of days now from our GCs and Amberlinks. And the girls are only recent layers. We feed them Countryside Organic with about 10% UltraKibble added to their feed. They free range about an hour a day and we limit their treats. Mealworms and some organic scratch is about all at the moment.

 

[ChickenAl]

Forgot to mention we got 2 double yolkers today too.