Keeping them healthy

[lablover]

Also, some of them are currently molting. Would I switch them right away?

 

[lablover]

Sorry to post again, but I was looking at TSC and was looking at their Dumor grower/finisher. Is that what I would feed?

 

[lablover]

Bumping this up. The feed I'm currently feeding is Broods Best.

 

[donrae]

Wow, you've gotten some very strong opinions here!

Sounds to me like your feed is fine. I feed my entire flock an all-in-one type feed, this is for newly hatched chicks to my older hens to my roosters----everyone. I toss oyster shell in the run when I think of it, and give all kitchen scraps to the birds. Been doing this for 20 years and have great layers.

Sometimes a bird just dies. I've had it happen on and off over the years. Sometimes like you described--not looking well for a day or two-- sometimes just happy and plucky one day and dead the next. I've never changed anything, and never had an illness or more than one loss at a time. Sometimes things just die.

I would suggest maybe confining your hens for a few days. You say they free range, I'd bet you have hidden nests somewhere. Go on an intensive egg hunt--under every bush/shrub, behind trash cans, places like that. Confining them for a few days will tell you if the hens are really laying or not, and maybe re-train them to lay in the coop.

I really, really wish folks would realize there's nothing magical about layer feed. Folks sure get weird about it!

edited--re-reading your first post, I'd bet your birds have better nutrition than many other flocks! I'd just check whatever hay is in that barn for eggs--that's the first place my free rangers went. Something about the hay makes them want to lay!

 

[angel8035]

The best choice is a "flockraiser" feed like Purina makes. It is in between a chick feed and a layer. It is good for all young to adult birds and since you supply oyster shell free choice it will be fine for your layers. The proportions in chick feed are better for only young chicks - I switch mine at about 6-8 weeks when I move the pullets in with the adults. Then they all eat the flockraiser feed. It works well for everyone.

 

[Sallyintucson]

I didn't know you could change them to layer feed that early. (I'm obviously new at this) From what I've read, I agree with the flockmaster. I'll bet your birds are laying somewhere where you aren't noticing it.

 

[donrae]

I didn't know you could change them to layer feed that early. (I'm obviously new at this) From what I've read, I agree with the flockmaster. I'll bet your birds are laying somewhere where you aren't noticing it.

If you're referring to the post right above you, that isn't layer feed that's being given at 6-8 weeks, it's an all-in-one, flock raiser/grower type feed. Layer has double the calcium that grower has and shouldn't be given to non-laying birds.

 

[lablover]

Thanks donrae. That is just what I was told last year when I first asked what I should feed. I didn't even know that what I was feeding was a starter/grower the min protein is 18, but dumor's is 15 I think, and maybe a dollar cheaper....

As for eggs, I have kept them up for a few days, and I just get 2. I don't really know if they are molting.... But I got eggs all winter. They do lay in the barn, particularly in the stalls. So, we check there everyday.

 

[upthecreek]

I believe starter is more expensive on top of everything else so one less benefit. And I like the comparison of leaving a dog on puppy food . I have heard of people leaving them on grower as the only difference is calcium but never before anyone leaving them on starter. Starter is also a lot higher in protien I thought.

One thing I did read about leaving them on starter longer than six weeks is that it encourages more rapid growth and so proper development could take second place to fast growth causing problems later on. Again it was just something I read but I thought it made sense at the time.

Good luck!!

Have you ever noticed the simularity of Puppy foods and dog performance foods (most are exactly same thing)

 

[upthecreek]

Wow, you've gotten some very strong opinions here!

Sounds to me like your feed is fine. I feed my entire flock an all-in-one type feed, this is for newly hatched chicks to my older hens to my roosters----everyone. I toss oyster shell in the run when I think of it, and give all kitchen scraps to the birds. Been doing this for 20 years and have great layers.

Sometimes a bird just dies. I've had it happen on and off over the years. Sometimes like you described--not looking well for a day or two-- sometimes just happy and plucky one day and dead the next. I've never changed anything, and never had an illness or more than one loss at a time. Sometimes things just die.

I would suggest maybe confining your hens for a few days. You say they free range, I'd bet you have hidden nests somewhere. Go on an intensive egg hunt--under every bush/shrub, behind trash cans, places like that. Confining them for a few days will tell you if the hens are really laying or not, and maybe re-train them to lay in the coop.

I really, really wish folks would realize there's nothing magical about layer feed. Folks sure get weird about it!

edited--re-reading your first post, I'd bet your birds have better nutrition than many other flocks! I'd just check whatever hay is in that barn for eggs--that's the first place my free rangers went. Something about the hay makes them want to lay!

I'm in Total 100% Agreement with EveryThing this poster (donrae) Says !!!!!!
Love the remark about layer feeds !!

Chickens in a molt need the most nutrition they can get (not going to start a germ warfare over this) ... just google Nutrition for poultry or contact Donrae ........ when was last time they were wormed (with what) ?