Help! Was sold wrong food? (Newbie)

[mom3lovebugs]

Hi everyone,

I just got 8 laying hens (mix of 1 and 2 year olds) late last week. The breeder I bought them from suggested I feed them 17% laying ration mixed with barley (she had this in abundance on her farm) and hen scratch. I just looked and the feed store sent me home with 36% laying ration. It's a 4 hour drive back so I'm curious if it's ok to use cut with barley? I bought 2 bags of laying ration, 2 bags of barley and 2 bags of hen scratch. I just read the hen scratch should be only a treat tho?

Any advice? I live in a very remote location so im hoping I can make due with what I have until my parents go out of town in 2 weeks.

I've only been getting 2 eggs a day but thinking it takes time for them to adjust to their new home.

Thanks!

 

[Rod-T]

36% never heard of a laying ration that high.. sure it isn't some meatbird ration?..
That being said I don't think it will hurt them.. add your barley.. that will cut protein down..

 

[Percheron chick]

You're fine. If you mix the 3 together in equal amounts, you will end up with about an 18% feed. You are correct in giving them time to settle in before expecting normal egg production.

 

[lazy gardener]

Be sure to give them extra calcium. You can give them egg shells. That will help some, until you can rectify the situation. Long term, I would think that 36% protein is too high. You might want to return the second bag.

 

[mom3lovebugs]

Thank you everyone! I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Rod-T]

I've never seen 36% before. .. are you sure they didn't sell you a concentrate? What's the bag read..
Some people buy a concentrate to mix there own feed... if so. Then you need to mix other grain per directions. .
May contain too much calcium now if fed at 1/3 mix..