Is My Protein Level in My Feed Too Low?

[citychickinthecountry]

I have four 1+year old hens that had been laying regularly. But it has now been over a month since I have gotten an egg. The protein level on my layer feed is 15%. Is that too low?

One of my hens is molting but I see no reason why the others aren't laying. I live in Florida so weather is not a factor.

 

[Jx2inNC]

I don't know that the protein needs to be terribly high once the birds are "grown". To be knowledge, 15% should be just fine, so I don't know that this is your problem.

Check for signs of them eating their eggs. I have had some leave almost no sign an egg was even there, they ate everything up that good.

 

[Judy]

When my egg production drops I look for a rat snake -- and usually find him.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Are they molting? Are they nearing the 18 month molt?

I prefer 16% -20% protein for chickens. Ways you can give them additional protein are:

Black oil sunflower seeds are around 16% protein
peanuts unsalted 25%
sesame seeds 19% (but they are so spendy)
cooked lentils 30%
pumpkin seeds 31% (don't give too much)
wheat bran 17%
nyjer thistle seed 20% (also spendy)
flax seeds 20% (don't give too much)
uncooked split peas 24.5%
scrambled eggs

Keep in mind that it is always best to google these items to double check protein content.

You can give them occasional treats with the above to increase protein, or you can buy the higher protein feeds that make you give the oyster shell on the side to them (available at feed stores).

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

Quote:
I think of 16% as the industry standard for layer feed. If they are all the same age then the others are probably going to molt soon. I can get eggs in freezing weather as long as I have enough light daily,adequate food, and clean water at all times..

 

[citychickinthecountry]

We did have a chicken/rat snake in the coop about 2 weeks ago, but he was too small to have eaten eggs. We relocated him, so we know he didn't make he way back into the coop.

I don't see any signs at all that any of my hens are eating the eggs...no shells, no remnants of eggs at all. I check for eggs at least once a day, somtimes more and grab the eggs as soon as I see them. I see feathers eveywhere...it's like a few of my hens have exploded in the coop.

I definitely know that my Cochin is molting (she's about 23 months old right now). My Americauna is also the same age and appears to be molting (she lost a few tail feathers yesterday and there are black feathers all over the coop). My Cochin is the only hen that looks "rough" though. All appear healthy. My other two hens are a Silkie and an unknown White bantam. My rooster is a white Bantam and he's an active breeder, but not overly agressive with the girls (thank goodness).

I am running a test...I put one of their eggs that I have had in the fridge into the coop (where they normally lay). I wanted to see if there are any signs of a snake eating the egg or of one of the chickens trampling near the nest to eat the egg. As of this morning, the egg was still there.

I honestly think that two of the hens are molting because of their age. The other two hens are about 13 months old, so they won't reach their "molt" until mid-summer.

Someone I spoke to at the local feed store suggested that I add a little bit of Gatorade to their water. I might give that a try...what 4 parts water to 1 part Gatorade?

I let them free-range when I am home, so they are getting some extra protein from bugs in the yard. Sometimes I also buy them crickets as a treat.

It's just killing me to have to buy store eggs. It feels anti-religious.

 

[ChooksChick]

I put a handful of golf balls in each nest when egg production drops in a way that makes me suspicious. I pretty much leave golf balls in the nests all the time, anymore, actually. I'll certainly notice if one of those goes missing, and it works well as decoys if the girls ever get to egg-eating. I use pink for the Orps, orange for the Marans...light blue for the Ameraucanas...having a hubby who works on the golf course can be worthwhile!!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Molting sounds like the culprit.