Layer pellets & scratch?? Less eggs or more?

[black_cat]

If you can get a kennel set up as some were suggesting, I think that'll do fine for space. Honestly they've probably had it much worse before they were brought over to your house.

There's some bullying going on and it seems to be getting worse....If they draw blood I think that'll prove that they need more space and kennel might work out.
I've tried to explain the following:
Pros of kennel:
-More space for chickens
-happier chickens
-easier coop maintenance
- able to interact/pick up the chickens more easily
-less bullying of chickens
-can be repurposed to make larger coop in future
-less worry about escape
Cons of kennel:
-will be a bit of a drive to get it
(i'm paying for it)
However, my explanations haven't helped the situation. I'm now able to refill their food and water and check for eggs more easily, and the birds are looking healthier, but otherwise we're right where we started.

 

[black_cat]

If you can get a kennel set up as some were suggesting, I think that'll do fine for space. Honestly they've probably had it much worse before they were brought over to your house.

I'm trying to give them the best care possible but it is so, so hard when:
-You can't actually touch the chickens
-They don't have enough space to exist properly
-you can barely open the door to the coop bc of escaping worries
-You can't implement any changes on your own and the people with power aren't helping
I'm trying so, so hard, and I really hope that one day after this gosh-darn rental is over I'll be able to give these hens the real home that they deserve (with space to exist) (and probably chunnels)

 

[Chickdeb7]

I'm thinking because they're not getting enough protein? Not sure but when they were eating just a layer feed I was getting tons of eggs but it's also gotten very warm here in Connecticut lol

Corn is high in carbohydrates and causes the body temperature to increase. Its better not to feed corn in the summer.

 

[eal847]

Hi guys,

I have a odd question I guess I've had chicken's for many many years but have never fed scratch grains, have just given them a layer pellets and occasionally bought small 5lb bags of cracked corn and gave it to them here and there they also free range, I've had chickens now that don't free-range because I lost some to Predators but they have a big run. Someone gave me a 50 lb bag of scratch grains so I give them a pan of layer pellets and a pan with some scratch grains at first they weren't touching the scratch now they seem to be eating the scratch grains and not the layer pellets as much and my egg production has gone down considerably, just need some suggestions on whether I should withhold the scratch grains until they eat the layer pellets or just give them to scratch grains occasionally?

Thank you for any and all suggestions. Keeping only 12 chickens now I just go with a good handful of scratch in the am as a treat when they all come running up. But they get more in the winter, especially as they are settling in for the night since the carbs will help to keep the body temperature up.

 

[eal847]

Hi guys,

I have a odd question I guess Ive had chicken's for many many years but have never fed scratch grains, have just given them a layer pellets and occasionally bought small 5lb bags of cracked corn and gave it to them here and there they also free range, I've had chickens now that don't free-range because I lost some to Predators but they have a big run. Someone gave me a 50 lb bag of scratch grains so I give them a pan of layer pellets and a pan with some scratch grains at first they weren't touching the scratch now they seem to be eating the scratch grains and not the layer pellets as much and my egg production has gone down considerably, just need some suggestions on whether I should withhold the scratch grains until they eat the layer pellets or just give them to scratch grains occasionally?

Thank you for any and all suggestions!

I

 

[eal847]

I go very light in the warmer weather. Just a handful as a morning treat when they come running in from all over the yard. If it's really cold I throw a little out a few times a day in small amounts to get the body temperature up, mostly just before, they are settling in for the night. But I try to have them mostly eat the layer mix, bugs,and wild grass seeds

 

[Dmaryatt]

Hi guys,

I have a odd question I guess Ive had chicken's for many many years but have never fed scratch grains, have just given them a layer pellets and occasionally bought small 5lb bags of cracked corn and gave it to them here and there they also free range, I've had chickens now that don't free-range because I lost some to Predators but they have a big run. Someone gave me a 50 lb bag of scratch grains so I give them a pan of layer pellets and a pan with some scratch grains at first they weren't touching the scratch now they seem to be eating the scratch grains and not the layer pellets as much and my egg production has gone down considerably, just need some suggestions on whether I should withhold the scratch grains until they eat the layer pellets or just give them to scratch grains occasionally?

Thank you for any and all suggestions!

Scratch grains are a treat, no more that 5% of diet. Give them some oyster shell that you can get at the feed store. I put mine in a separate feeder and it works great. They don't use much and their egg shells are tough as nails.

 

[HappyHart]

My hens seemed to have reduced egg production a bit when I was feeding them 'Crazy 8' scratch every day. I cut it back to the occasional treat and they seem to be laying more regular. I have Calico Princess hens that are about 1 yr. 3 months old and they have been laying since about 4 1/2 to 5 months old (even in the winter!) They free range all day, too.

 

[chkncrazy]

My hens seemed to have reduced egg production a bit when I was feeding them 'Crazy 8' scratch every day. I cut it back to the occasional treat and they seem to be laying more regular. I have Calico Princess hens that are about 1 yr. 3 months old and they have been laying since about 4 1/2 to 5 months old (even in the winter!) They free range all day, too.

The calico princess looks like the Dixie rainbows but I thinknthey are 2 different kinds.....The calicos I heard from many people are good layers!!

 

[chkncrazy]

My hens seemed to have reduced egg production a bit when I was feeding them 'Crazy 8' scratch every day. I cut it back to the occasional treat and they seem to be laying more regular. I have Calico Princess hens that are about 1 yr. 3 months old and they have been laying since about 4 1/2 to 5 months old (even in the winter!) They free range all day, too.

Yes mine free range also... Ive heald back the feed for a couple weeks now and am slowly getting more eggs... Somebody suggested me not "forcing them to lay more" ....lol... I wasnt worried about the eggs as I have 10 dozen... I was just making sure they werent eating them... And testing out this breed.. I mean why woukd I want layer chickens that lay 1 egg a week If I can help it hahahaha...