is 20% protein ok for laying hens?

[ForFlocksSake]

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.

Thanks!

 

[ForFlocksSake]

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.

Thanks for the information!

 

[K0k0shka]

20% is ideal for all ages. Layer feeds try to get away with as little as they can, that's why they're lower. It's because they are mostly designed for large scale operations where every buck counts, and they want to reduce feed cost as much as possible while still getting eggs for a year or two before the layers are retired (processed). So they provide the minimum. But if you want healthy long lifespans, 20% is better. I only feed 20% to everybody (flock raiser, I don't use layer feeds).

 

[Folly's place]

I too feed Purina's Flock Raiser to everyone all year. Here it's available with good mill dates, so I can feed it within two months of milling almost always.
The Kalmbach feeds are sold at a different feed store, and are not stored inside there, also more expensive, so we don't use that brand. And Nutrena is more expensive with less protein,again, not as useful for our flock.
There's no one perfect choice everywhere, see what's available fresh where you shop!
Mary

 

[Krux5506]

I thought about switching my flock from Modesto's soy free layer crumble which is 17% protein to the chick version which is 22%. Would this be a wise switch? Willing to pay the extra few bucks for it if it's a good idea. Would it be better to do this as we go into winter or does that not make a difference?

On the other hand, I give my birds a fair amount of meat scraps as well. Usually a couple times a week. I don't really think they are lacking protein. In that case, does it make better sense to just keep on the 17% layer? Either way, they always have oyster shell available.

Edit: the layer feed is actually $1 more than the 22% protein chick feed

 

[kengboss21]

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 use it and I like it, offer calcium on the side I use a mix of crushed eggshells and oyster shells. That way if I have chicks in the future they can eat it as well. Also higher protein aids in less pecking and more satiety