I'll add further that studies have demonstrated that increasing protein levels from 16% to 18-20% in mature layers IS associated with reduced mortality rates, increased frequency of lay, and increased egg size in production hens. So why is the typical layer feed just 16% protein? Because those increases are generally on the order of 1-3%. That's 6+/- "extra" eggs a year (in a bird that may lay 300), and less than a gram, on average, of additional egg weight. The costs of the extra protein in the feed far exceeds the value of the added production. Going from, say 20% protein to 24% protein generally does NOT result in statistically significant levels of increased lay, does result in another couple % increased egg size, and a massive increase in cost. and if your birds aren't production layers? Your every other day layer might add 2 eggs to the pile in a year, and nobody notices a 1g difference in egg size w/o a scale.
So why do I (and many other BYCers) recommend 20% over 16%?
Because the increased cost for out (typically) small flocks is only a few dollars a year, and we are generally much more concerned with the long term health and comfort (shorter, less stressful molts!, marginally better climate tolerance) of our birds than commercial flocks where 3-5% mortality in one year old birds is considered a cost of doing business .
Well, those are my reasons. Others may haver reason of their own.
So why do I (and many other BYCers) recommend 20% over 16%?
Because the increased cost for out (typically) small flocks is only a few dollars a year, and we are generally much more concerned with the long term health and comfort (shorter, less stressful molts!, marginally better climate tolerance) of our birds than commercial flocks where 3-5% mortality in one year old birds is considered a cost of doing business .
Well, those are my reasons. Others may haver reason of their own.
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