how often should I give my flock additional protein

[IRChicken]

@JANAE

Have you tried putting supplement only in a separate feeder, then they could grab what they need as they need it?
Also, you could try Free Choice Feeding which will allow you to keep feeding them scratch any time you want without altering their diets.

Choice-feeding can be an easy way for small flock owners to feed their laying hens. When you choice-feed your hens, you do not have to worry about grinding the grain or mixing it accurately with a supplement. Instead, you have separate feeders for the grain and supplement and let the birds choose how much of each they want to eat. If the feed mill making your supplement recommends that you add extra limestone or oyster shell, you will have a third feeder full of one of these calcium sources.

Laying hens can make good nutritional choices and pick out the amount of grain, supplement and limestone or oyster shell that they need to be healthy and productive. Hens fed this way will lay as many eggs as hens fed a traditional laying hen diet as long as you follow some basic rules:

Choice-Feeding of Small Laying Hen Flocks

Cheers​

 

[so lucky]

About quantities: I feed my 5 hens 2 scrambled eggs a couple times a week. Not 2 eggs each, 2 eggs for 5 chickens. They eat that amount up pretty quickly. You could feed them healthy leftovers daily as long as they don't neglect their regular crumbles/pellets. I don't think the suggestions on free choice grain meant free choice scratch, as chickens would choose that over higher protein foods, and not receive enough protein in their diet.

 

[Alethea]

A good quality feed is formulated to be a balanced diet. That's where to start. Supplemental protein in the form of snacks is good, but I don't worry about how much, particularly since they're outside most of the day and eat bugs and spiders. They like scratch, but it doesn't offer much in the way of nutrition. They get a handful when they go to bed, after they've had their food for the day.

 

[ragnar1107]

I give mine a snack everynight to get them in the coop. they've come to recognize the red platter and come running up the ramp. I give them plain yogurt for the protein as well as chicken crack(dried mealworms).

 

[mpcardona]

I am new to having my own little flock. Have only had them for two months. I was worried that my chicks weren't getting enough protein so I started feeding them some soy beans. They are rich in vitamins and minerals including folate, potassium and a little fiber. Is a very good question. How much should you feed them? I mainly throw it out in the morning along with the scratch and in some afternoons I give them lettuce or watermelon rind.

 

[jenkassai]

Quote:

"Chicken crack = dried mealworms" - sooooo true!!!!

Just used up the last of the chicken crack yesterday...off to scramble some eggs for my girls on this damp, chilly day!

 

[Cindy in PA]

Quote:
I hope you are cooking the soy beans, not good for chickens if they are not cooked or heated first.

 

[Oregon Blues]

[[[[[........how often can they have additional protein and what is too much......]]]]]

The best way to give protein is as a very steady diet. Not in big clumps every now and again.

A good quality laying feed should have enough protein, and it should be fed every day. If you'd like more protein, you can buy a bag of gamebird or turkey feed and add a couple of Tablespoons to the feed every day.

If you want your birds to have animal protein, feeding dry cat food works well. I give 1 cup of dry cat food split amongst 22 ducks and 9 geese. As you see, a very small amount.

 

[mpcardona]

Oh yes....I read online that boiling the soy beans kills something that is bad for the chicken's intestines. I'll have to look into the chicken crack and turkey feed. Thanks Oregon blues, jenkassai, and Cindy.

 

[Rosaleen]

Yesterday I was cleaning out the fridge and found two containers of yogurt that were a day or two over the expiration date. I mixed them with some warm oatmeal and gave it to the hens. I couldn't believe how quickly that treat disappeared. Their heads never left the bowl until it was all gone.