I Need Constructive Criticism / Advice

[Kiki]

I struggled with going away from the country store feed because they have a specific breakdown of the feed in terms of protein, grains, etc but they seem to like this locally produced one. It is produced by a feed company but I don't know the dietary breakdown of it.

If you tell me the exact name of the feed I might actually have the break down of it for you.

Eta.
But I'm not worried so much about this breakdown...it's the seeds and grains I see that worry me.
The bird has the option to pick and choose which seed/grain she wants.

With a pelleted feed there is not that option.

 

[MNChickens27]

Please read through this:
http://articles.extension.org/pages...lapse-in-layers-and-treatments-and-prevention

Hmmm, I'm wondering if maybe I'm feeding them too much? They have a feeder where they step on it and it lifts a flap and gives them access to the feed but keeps it protected from mice / weather when they aren't eating. Is that a possibility? We use that feeder since we are not home during the day because of work. I might be grasping a straws because I imagine most people use some soft of feeder for their hens.

 

[Kiki]

Hmmm, I'm wondering if maybe I'm feeding them too much? They have a feeder where they step on it and it lifts a flap and gives them access to the feed but keeps it protected from mice / weather when they aren't eating. Is that a possibility? We use that feeder since we are not home during the day because of work. I might be grasping a straws because I imagine most people use some soft of feeder for their hens.

This is entirely possible.
If this particular bird is say only picking out the corn pieces to eat...she is probably over weight and is not getting a complete diet.
I highly recommend that you switch to a complete pellet or crumble feed.

 

[MNChickens27]

This is entirely possible.
If this particular bird is say only picking out the corn pieces to eat...she is probably over weight and is not getting a complete diet.
I highly recommend that you switch to a complete pellet or crumble feed.

That I can do, I'll get some tomorrow. Do most country stores have those? Is one better than the other (pellet or crumble)?

 

[MNChickens27]

This is entirely possible.
If this particular bird is say only picking out the corn pieces to eat...she is probably over weight and is not getting a complete diet.
I highly recommend that you switch to a complete pellet or crumble feed.

And she is a rather large bird, pretty fat in my opinion. So is the Rhode Island Red that is having prolapse issues.

 

[Kiki]

That I can do, I'll get some tomorrow. Do most country stores have those? Is one better than the other (pellet or crumble)?

I prefer the crumble type feed.
My birds don't have a choice.

I think you are going to have to try one and see.
They probably won't like either at first...chickens don't like change but don't give up. They will eventually eat it.

 

[Cyprus]

Thank you.
It looks like an in-between to me.
I am concerned they are being picky and picking out the seeds/grains they want to eat and MAY not be getting a complete diet with this feed.

x2 I second this. I am by no means a professional on this matter and can only give my opinion. I have read & heard that when fed a mixed grain diet or a diet that contains "goodies" in it mixed in with the balanced part of a feed ration that hens and roosters alike will tend to pick out the things they like best. This is usually the "junk food" such as corn and other grains. I am guilty of having fed this kind of mixed feed to my own chickens and it has resulted in overweight hens.
As stated in the article @KikisGirls linked (which i've read through) both an unbalanced diet and being overweight can increase the risk for a hen to develop prolapse.

I just wanted to put my opinion out there. It is not a statement of the origin of the problem and I am not saying that you are responsible. I also agree with the others that it may just be genetics.

 

[MNChickens27]

I prefer the crumble type feed.
My birds don't have a choice.

I think you are going to have to try one and see.
They probably won't like either at first...chickens don't like change but don't give up. They will eventually eat it.

Thanks so much KikisGirls, I'll give it a shot. Please let me know if you think of something else to try.

 

[Kiki]

Read the feed bags at your store.
Look for a LAYER type complete feed in either a crumble or pellet.
Stay away from and whole grain type feeds.

I am not sure this one girl can be fixed but maybe if she starts eating a complete diet and loses some weight it might help?
I am not sure.

 

[MNChickens27]

x2 I second this. I am by no means a professional on this matter and can only give my opinion. I have read & heard that when fed a mixed grain diet or a diet that contains "goodies" in it mixed in with the balanced part of a feed ration that hens and roosters alike will tend to pick out the things they like best. This is usually the "junk food" such as corn and other grains. I am guilty of having fed this kind of mixed feed to my own chickens and it has resulted in overweight hens.
As stated in the article @KikisGirls linked (which i've read through) both an unbalanced diet and being overweight can increase the risk for a hen to develop prolapse.

I just wanted to put my opinion out there. It is not a statement of the origin of the problem and I am not saying that you are responsible. I also agree with the others that it may just be genetics.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experience! This gives me hope. My fear was they were crowded in that small coop. Sometimes in the winter they don't get out of that coop for days because of snow.