Layers not pluckers... hopefully lol

[ValerieJ]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! Best of luck with your flock. BTW, I feed my chickens Purina Layer too. I start them a little later than you did because I use Medicated starter until they are about ready to lay. I don't know if that's right, just the advice I got from my farm store when I bought my first chicks 4 years ago. I haven't had a reason to question it.

 

[Newlychickening]

Hi Trey.
I'm terribly confused by this post. I went back and read what @ChickenCanoe posted and see absolutely nothing bullying about the information that was provided for you or the manner in which it was delivered. It was spot on.
The complete feed, Layena, that you were feeding 100% to your young pullets and are now mixing 50/50 with grower is still a complete feed designed ONLY for chickens that are producing eggs. Until a chicken actually begins laying, the excess calcium in the feed will harm them.
As I posted, I have never in my life purchased a bag of layer feed. I keep my flock on an All Flock type of feed and offer oyster shells on the side for the actively hens and pullets. That is always the safest bet.
What will you do when your chickens molt and stop laying? They do not need that extra calcium and benefit greatly from more protein than the 16% that is offered in most layer formulations.

You’re right & I realized just a second ago before seeing your post that I was being over sensitive & removed the post!!! I would like to offer my apologies it to ChickenCanoe but everyone else that had to see that!!! I shouldn’t be reacting emotionally & rudely!!! I accept responsibility for doing so!!!

 

[ValerieJ]

What will you do when your chickens molt and stop laying? They do not need that extra calcium and benefit greatly from more protein than the 16% that is offered in most layer formulations.

So, I never heard this before. So often I just don't know the questions to ask. Now I have 2 our of 8 hens molting. Should I separate them and feed them something different? Should I change all the food?

 

[Newlychickening]

You aren’t gonna stop molting in 100 plus heat with heat index anyway!!! Besides I have completely suspended use anything other than the grower feed for now & they are getting plenty of water!!! If there something else I should why don’t you come out & say instead of beating around the bush about it!!!

 

[Newlychickening]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! Best of luck with your flock. BTW, I feed my chickens Purina Layer too. I start them a little later than you did because I use Medicated starter until they are about ready to lay. I don't know if that's right, just the advice I got from my farm store when I bought my first chicks 4 years ago. I haven't had a reason to question it.

Hi ValerieJ how are you thanks for dropping by to say hi!!! I am enjoying my time here & hope you are also!!!

 

[ValerieJ]

Hi ValerieJ how are you thanks for dropping by to say hi!!! I am enjoying my time here & hope you are also!!!

I'm doing well, thanks. But I am learning a few things with you here and taking some notes. Thanks for the questions and discussion. I think I need to change my chicken feed for now since I have two molters.

 

[DobieLover]

So, I never heard this before. So often I just don't know the questions to ask. Now I have 2 our of 8 hens molting. Should I separate them and feed them something different? Should I change all the food?

Valerie,

In a nutshell: all layer formulations contain EXTRA calcium to enable the pullet/hen to form the shells on the eggs they produce. Otherwise, the body will extract the calcium from their bones or they will fail to form a proper shell and have soft-shelled or shell-less eggs. Those are very difficult for the chicken to pass and can cause other health problems. Sometimes they will lay softies even if they have adequate calcium but that is for another discussion.
The only time chickens needs extra calcium is when they are actively producing eggs. If a chicken is not producing eggs, the extra calcium damages the kidneys. Therefore, chicks, pullets too young to lay, molting hens, older hens on winter break and cockerels & roosters all do not require extra calcium.
At some point in time, you will likely want to add additional chicks to your flock. You cannot possibly separate and feed layers from non-layers while maintaining a single harmonious flock. Therefore, to most people, feeding an All Flock (made by Nutrena), Flock Raiser (made by Purina) or any brand starter chick feed that contains 18-20% protein and offering a separate container of oyster shell on the side, near the feeder is the best choice. Not only to limit excess calcium but also to provide a higher level of protein. 16% is the BARE MINIMUM required level of protein. 18-20% is optimal. Again, for several reasons including egg production, feather growth and quality and overall health.

 

[ValerieJ]

Valerie,

In a nutshell: all layer formulations contain EXTRA calcium to enable the pullet/hen to form the shells on the eggs they produce. Otherwise, the body will extract the calcium from their bones or they will fail to form a proper shell and have soft-shelled or shell-less eggs. Those are very difficult for the chicken to pass and can cause other health problems. Sometimes they will lay softies even if they have adequate calcium but that is for another discussion.
The only time chickens needs extra calcium is when they are actively producing eggs. If a chicken is not producing eggs, the extra calcium damages the kidneys. Therefore, chicks, pullets too young to lay, molting hens, older hens on winter break and cockerels & roosters all do not require extra calcium.
At some point in time, you will likely want to add additional chicks to your flock. You cannot possibly separate and feed layers from non-layers while maintaining a single harmonious flock. Therefore, to most people, feeding an All Flock (made by Nutrena), Flock Raiser (made by Purina) or any brand starter chick feed that contains 18-20% protein and offering a separate container of oyster shell on the side, near the feeder is the best choice. Not only to limit excess calcium but also to provide a higher level of protein. 16% is the BARE MINIMUM required level of protein. 18-20% is optimal. Again, for several reasons including egg production, feather growth and quality and overall health.

Thanks for all that! I will probably switch right away since I always offer oyster shell anyway. Not sure why I ever need to use layer pellets. Bottom line is, I get advice and follow it until I hear new advice. Why? Like I said, I really don't know what questions to ask.

 

[ValerieJ]

Thanks for all that! I will probably switch right away since I always offer oyster shell anyway. Not sure why I ever need to use layer pellets. Bottom line is, I get advice and follow it until I hear new advice. Why? Like I said, I really don't know what questions to ask.

Also, I did just lose a chicken to a sudden death. Well in the morning and dead in the afternoon. Didn't send her out for a necropsy, so I have no idea. As far as I know she was laying eggs, but this just makes me wonder. My poor chickens. I just have to compare them to battery chickens to make myself feel better about it all.

 

[DobieLover]

Also, I did just lose a chicken to a sudden death. Well in the morning and dead in the afternoon. Didn't send her out for a necropsy, so I have no idea. As far as I know she was laying eggs, but this just makes me wonder. My poor chickens. I just have to compare them to battery chickens to make myself feel better about it all.

Don't beat yourself up about it! Just read, read, read. AND ask yourself questions about the information you are given. Like: Does what I just read make sense? Do research. Everyone learns every day if you are inquisitive.