Margo is in Trouble

[rebrascora]

Yes it is really frustrating and upsetting when you put so much effort into the best care possible and things still go wrong.
Everyone's circumstances are different so what works for one person may not work for another. Minerals in soils are different, climates are different, forage is different, management systems are different and all these things plus many more no doubt can have an impact on trace element uptake and dietary balance. Of course keeping hens in cages irons out many of these variations and allows the industry to feed them an optimum formulated feed whereas in the real world we have to be prepared to be flexible and learn from our own experience and figure out what works best for us. I'm not saying a change of feed is necessarily the right decision but might be worth trying.

 

[micstrachan]

I forgot to answer your question about Margo’s age and molting. She will be two and a half at the end of August. Last season, she did a pretty significant body molt in September and then stopped laying again to molt on her head in December. When she molted in September, what tuned me in is that I went to put a saddle on her (for Bagheera’s plucking) she screamed and stumble dropped to the ground. I left the saddle off.

And thank you for your supportive thoughts/words.

 

[Cayuga momma]

I'm just wondering can you mix the higher protein feed with layer feed? Would that work?

 

[Kiki]

I'm just wondering can you mix the higher protein feed with layer feed? Would that work?

Th problem with this is the hens that don't eat the side of oyster shell still won't be getting enough calcium.

 

[micstrachan]

I'm just wondering can you mix the higher protein feed with layer feed? Would that work?

Actually, that’s what I’ve been doing the past month or so, as I was concerned the layers might be missing out on other nutrients besides calcium. Honestly, I’m still not totally sure what my plan is moving forward with feed.

 

[Cayuga momma]

Okay, thank you. It was just a thought so I wasn't sure if it could help.

 

[Kiki]

Actually, that’s what I’ve been doing the past month or so, as I was concerned the layers might be missing out on other nutrients besides calcium. Honestly, I’m still not totally sure what my plan is moving forward with feed.

The major difference with grower feeds vs layer feeds are the protein AND calcium levels.

 

[Kayla's Lunch]

You seem to have been having a lot of issues with your girls lately.
I think you need to start looking at their feed.
Higher protein might just be one of your problems along with them not getting enough calcium.
I have sent you a link to that book...there is a whole section just on calcium in it.

What book?

 

[Kiki]

What book?

https://www.nap.edu/read/2114/chapter/1

This isn't written by some random blogger either.

 

[micstrachan]

Heading up the hill to check on Margo. Gulp.