Increasing Protein

[theblondeangler]

Two weeks ago, I changed the chicken feed. I was feeding them 16% layer pellets and increased it to 18% Hardy Hen by Nutrena simply because I noticed the hens were feather picking and eating the feathers. Along with their scratch grain, I put a couple of handfuls of BOSS a few times a week. I thought maybe with the temperatures being in the single digits, they'd need a boost of extra protein. Can a simple increase in protein for food be hard on their gut and cause diarrhea?

 

[Welshies]

No, but if you switched feed quickly without mixing feeds first, that can.

 

[lazy gardener]

It shouldn't. But, if they are consuming more protein than they need, they may be pooping out the extra.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Two weeks ago, I changed the chicken feed. I was feeding them 16% layer pellets and increased it to 18% Hardy Hen by Nutrena simply because I noticed the hens were feather picking and eating the feathers. Along with their scratch grain, I put a couple of handfuls of BOSS a few times a week. I thought maybe with the temperatures being in the single digits, they'd need a boost of extra protein. Can a simple increase in protein for food be hard on their gut and cause diarrhea?

I'm on my second bag of the same feed for 5 hens and no runny poo here. Some of my girls eat fresh ice and snow and get runny poo temporarily.
They can get diarrhea with an abrupt change in feed. It's best to gradually change.
The feed you have is soy free, your previous feed probably had soy. That's an abrupt change.
I was using a feed made with soybeans. I just added the new feed to the feeder gradually with no problems.
I like a 18 to 20% protein feed from hatch throughout adulthood. I fed my hens 3 bags of 16% protein feed during the summer and I was not happy with their appearance or behavior.
Remember to limit scratch grains and other treats to what they can consume in 10 minutes twice a day. 3 times a day in sub freezing temps. Layers feed should be fed unlimited. Empty and clean feeder every 3 months, monthly in damp or humid weather. GC

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I'm on my second bag of the same feed for 5 hens and no runny poo here. Some of my girls eat fresh ice and snow and get runny poo temporarily.
They can get diarrhea with an abrupt change in feed. It's best to gradually change.
The feed you have is soy free, your previous feed probably had soy. That's an abrupt change.
I was using a feed made with soybeans. I just added the new feed to the feeder gradually with no problems.
I like a 18 to 20% protein feed from hatch throughout adulthood. I fed my hens 3 bags of 16% protein feed during the summer and I was not happy with their appearance or behavior.
Remember to limit scratch grains and other treats to what they can consume in 10 minutes twice a day. 3 times a day in sub freezing temps. Layers feed should be fed unlimited. Empty and clean feeder every 3 months, monthly in damp or humid weather. GC

Sorry to sidetrack from the OP's question, but where do you get the 20% feed? I've noticed similar behavior in my hens (feather picking, feather eating), and I've been told by my local feed store that 20% is too high so they don't carry it. I currently feed them a 18% pellet, and that just doesn't seem to be getting the job done for them.

 

[Welshies]

Sorry to sidetrack from the OP's question, but where do you get the 20% feed? I've noticed similar behavior in my hens (feather picking, feather eating), and I've been told by my local feed store that 20% is too high so they don't carry it. I currently feed them a 18% pellet, and that just doesn't seem to be getting the job done for them.

If you want to provide extra protein cat kibbles generally work well. Then you can feed them exactly what they need and adjust as needed.

 

[feedman77]

If you can find a purina dealer see if they can order in flockraiser 20.

Most tsc stores carry this in inventory

Sorry to sidetrack from the OP's question, but where do you get the 20% feed? I've noticed similar behavior in my hens (feather picking, feather eating), and I've been told by my local feed store that 20% is too high so they don't carry it. I currently feed them a 18% pellet, and that just doesn't seem to be getting the job done for them.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

If you want to provide extra protein cat kibbles generally work well. Then you can feed them exactly what they need and adjust as needed.

I hadn't heard that before, I'll give it a try!

 

[bluebird]

If you want to provide extra protein cat kibbles generally work well. Then you can feed them exactly what they need and adjust as needed.

x2

 

[GC-Raptor]

Sorry to sidetrack from the OP's question, but where do you get the 20% feed? I've noticed similar behavior in my hens (feather picking, feather eating), and I've been told by my local feed store that 20% is too high so they don't carry it. I currently feed them a 18% pellet, and that just doesn't seem to be getting the job done for them.

Yeah, Purina makes Flock Raiser, but you will need to offer Oyster Shell on the side.
One of my local independent farm and feed stores carries 20% Protein layers pellets. I would think most independent feed stores could order, but may not because they would need to buy a large quantity. GC