Mixed age flock nutrition and high protein questions

[tjacobson]

Hi all,
Looking for feeding advice…. I have two older hens(about 6 months old) and four younger pullets (11 weeks). They have been integrated into the same coop and have been getting along well with each other. I have been offering non-medicated chick feed in one feeder and layer crumble (16% protein) in another feeder. They all have access to both and oyster shell on the side.
My two older hens were both laying consistently before the introduction of the chicks, but now my lavender Orpington has completely quit laying (no eggs in almost 3 weeks). I live in northern Utah and understand that the winter weather will have an effect on productivity but I can’t image it being this severe. I have been considering increasing the protein of my layer feed, but don’t know if that will help and if it will hurt the littles.
Am I doing this right?? Any advice is appreciated!!

 

[nuthatched]

Older hens stop laying in winter as a natural way to prevent chicks in bad seasons where they likely wouldn't survive.
Higher protein feed will not hurt anybody, the babies need high protein for growth an your older girls need it for eggs.
You can feed everyone an all flock feed with 20% and provide oyster shell for the hens when they lay.
Layer feed isn't good for nonlaying birds, to much calcium, especially low protein layer.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi, it's not the cold temps that causes a reduction in egg-laying, it's the shorter days. It's my understanding that commercial egg plants provide 14 hours of artificial light to get top production. I'm adding supplemental light to my chickens now that they're done molting, but not that much. I'm only adding enough light to extend their days to a total of 12 hours per day. Result? Instead of getting zero to two or three eggs a day, as I had in previous years, at this point I'm getting 7 or 8 and expect to get more. Normally they would not start increasing production until about the beginning of March.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Even young layers like a 6 month old can be affected by shortening of daylight hours. 2 of 4 of my laying pullets have stopped laying for the time being.

I would NOT have any layer feed out at this time as you have 11 week olds that may or may not be eating it. Everyone can safely eat the chick feed you're using, just have calcium on the side for the 1 bird that is still laying.

 

[Libertydoc]

I appreciate the explanations regarding the fall off in laying and how to feed. I'm currently using all flock feed (17% protein), provide calcium and egg shells, and offering scratch with hot dogs and meal worms during the winter here in New Hampshire. We are getting about 3 eggs per day now and I'm not adding any light as I assume the hens (13 layers) need to recovery time as we see 9-10 eggs per day in the summer.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I am now getting up to 12 eggs a day (still 12 hours of light, 15 layers), and feed 20% protein all-flock. Grit and oyster shell on the side, an afternoon snack of scratch, mealworms and BOSS - just to get them to come near so I can do a quick visual on everybody, a little health check.

 

[Libertydoc]

I am now getting up to 12 eggs a day (still 12 hours of light, 15 layers), and feed 20% protein all-flock. Grit and oyster shell on the side, an afternoon snack of scratch, mealworms and BOSS - just to get them to come near so I can do a quick visual on everybody, a little health check.

What is BOSS?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

What is BOSS?

Black Oil Sunflower Seeds.

 

[Libertydoc]

Black Oil Sunflower Seeds.

Thanks. I add this to my scratch as well. My turkeys love them.

 

[nuthatched]

Thanks. I add this to my scratch as well. My turkeys love them.

Make sure not to go overboard, it's not a great thing for them.