is 20% protein ok for laying hens?

[ForFlocksSake]

My flock is starting to lay and I bought a bag of Kalmbach layer pellets to switch them once they finish their grower feed. However, I think I am going to return it and get starter/grower grumbles instead since we just decided to add some chicks to the mix and it doesn't make sense to switch to layer then back again. With all this im beginning to think I should just keep them all on grower crumbles with oyster shells on the side indefinitely. I am looking at the organic Kalmbach starter/grower and see its 20% protein which is significantly higher than layer feed. Is this alright to feed for life? We don't have (and won't have) a rooster at any point, but it's likely there will often be pullets and hens of various ages.

Also any personal reviews for organic Kalmbach feeds?

 

[DLA]

My flock is starting to lay and I bought a bag of Kalmbach layer pellets to switch them once they finish their grower feed. However, I think I am going to return it and get starter/grower grumbles instead since we just decided to add some chicks to the mix and it doesn't make sense to switch to layer then back again. With all this im beginning to think I should just keep them all on grower crumbles with oyster shells on the side indefinitely. I am looking at the organic Kalmbach starter/grower and see its 20% protein which is significantly higher than layer feed. Is this alright to feed for life? We don't have (and won't have) a rooster at any point, but it's likely there will often be pullets and hens of various ages.

Also any personal reviews for organic Kalmbach feeds?

I switched to kalmbach all flock which is 20% for during molt and they get oyster shell or baked old egg shells on the side. If you have a mixed flock with varying ages or genders the pellets are pretty small and I think it comes in crumble too.

 

[SueT]

Yes it’s preferable! I feed all my chickens of all ages Kalmbach 20% Flock Maker cumbles. I get crumbles instead of pellets as I also have bantams …

 

[Sally PB]

I feed Kalmbach 20% Flock Maker. It's not the organic version -- the store I buy it from carries their organic chick feed, but not this particular feed.

I really like Kalmbach. 20% is a good protein percentage, as I can toss them kitchen scraps or garden weeds and not worry about "diluting" the protein to any large degree.

Know that even in organic feeds, there are some additives that are allowed to be included to get certain critical amino acids into the feed. Methionine is one, and it's essential to a chick's development. There aren't plant sources that are rich enough in it. Thus the addition of a synthetic.

When I had chicks this last May, I feed my entire flock (including 1 rooster) Kalmbach organic chick starter. I slowly transitioned them all to Flock Maker and they all eat that now. I have oyster shell and crushed egg shell on the side for the laying hens.

 

[MysteryChicken]

20% protien is better for them, & the rest of the flock(s).
I feed my birds Nutrena Naturewise All Flock pellets, & Purina Flock Raiser. I just keep oyster shells available for them in a separate feeder.

 

[PoppasGrill]

We mix 20% purina crumbles and a 17% locally sourced pellets with scratch grains for our whole flock, with oyster shell on the side.
We also wet it so all the varied chickens don’t have an issue eating it
Along with a few scraps and mealworms for treats.

 

[Perris]

My flock is starting to lay and I bought a bag of Kalmbach layer pellets to switch them once they finish their grower feed. However, I think I am going to return it and get starter/grower grumbles instead since we just decided to add some chicks to the mix and it doesn't make sense to switch to layer then back again. With all this im beginning to think I should just keep them all on grower crumbles with oyster shells on the side indefinitely. I am looking at the organic Kalmbach starter/grower and see its 20% protein which is significantly higher than layer feed. Is this alright to feed for life? We don't have (and won't have) a rooster at any point, but it's likely there will often be pullets and hens of various ages.

Also any personal reviews for organic Kalmbach feeds?

you might find this guide from the Livestock Conservancy useful:
https://livestockconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Heritage_Chicken_Feed_Guidelines.pdf

 

[tlcmurphy]

I also use Kalmbach 20% All Flock crumbles, although I don’t believe it’s organic. Very good feed, at least that’s what I’ve been told. I having laying and non-laying (lazy) hens, so also give them oyster shell on the side

 

[Yardmom]

I feed Kalmbach 20% flock maker from day 1 for chicks and ducks. I feed it all the time in my Silkie flock as there are "always" chicks in that pen.
My standard flock gets layer to save a few dollars, but I think the 20% is better for them.

 

[ForFlocksSake]

you might find this guide from the Livestock Conservancy useful:
https://livestockconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Heritage_Chicken_Feed_Guidelines.pdf

Thank you!