Help!! I think I'm feeding the girls WRONG!!!

[jaybucklestarr]

I have 9 laying hens and I have been feeding primary scratch!! I give them laying pellets and scraps also!!! WHAT do I feed them?????

 

[Cackling Hen]

Hi I feed my Girls laying pellets at all times. Scratch has no nutrtional value it like a treat for once in awhile for my girls. I also give my girls oyster shell that helps there egg shell not becomomg soft. So people like pellets some like mash But please dont feed them scratch as there main food Good luck with your chickens

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Mostly layer pellets. Give those to them free choice all day (as in a feeder).

Read the bag label. If it says the protein content is in the 15-16% range then only give them half a handful of scratch per day. If it's in the 18-20% range you can give more.

Scraps can be fed as much as you want if they are mostly vegetable or fruit scraps. Bread, rice, that sort of thing treat like scratch. Meat is fine though lots of fat will make your birds fat.

.....Alan.

 

[pardenx3]

I just give layer crumbles. I fill their feeder every morning and it lasts all day. I somethimes give them some bread for treats. Anything other than their standard feed should be limited to about 10% of their diet.

 

[jaybucklestarr]

Thanks everyone!!! I actually leave layer pellets and scratch out all the time and give them scraps also. This can't be as hard as I'm making it

 

[Tecalli]

I give my 10 month old hens layer crumbles in their feeder, available at all times. They also have access to grit and oyster shells whenever they want. I also given them some chopped up veggies or a melon slice in the morning and some yougart in the afternoon. I do give them a little scratch, mainly when they've been out free ranging in the yard and I want to entice them back into the run. I also read that you should avoid scratch in hot weather as it raises their body temp.

 

[sandy sea]

I only give scratch in the mornings with it is cool. I call it chicken candy. I just toss about a glass of it onto the ground, that way they have something to do while I feed the pigs and goats. Lay pellet is always available in the feeder for them.