⠀ Mixing feeds

[EggSighted4Life]

I didn't realize that , only two are laying so the majority aren't.. maybe I will just finish the starter and compensate with oyster shell so the layers will get the calcium.. what do u think? I don't know much about health and chicks yet thanks for insight..

That's probably a good ideal. The layers will use the oyster shell as needed. The others may get a taste but likely leave it alone after that.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Quote:

He has a doctorate in animal nutrition.

Patrick Biggs, Ph.D.
Nutritionist, Purina Animal Nutrition
University of Illinois

​

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Good to know, thank you.

 

[Katcole]

Hi everyone this is my first post as I've just joined. I'm curious to know why out of 3 chickens,one has laid 3 separate eggs without the shell? (Like a rubberised golden yolk, on left on photo) They all get feed a mixture of 50/50 maize & barnyard laying pellets plus any fruit or vegetable scraps. they scratch around nearly 800sqm of garden and grass under trees etc for bugs.
I'm wondering do I need to feed them grit? What do you recommend? Maybe theyre not getting any calcium with not many stones around. Not sandy soil.
Also is there any reason why they are not laying everyday and how do I get them to lay in the coop? They hide the eggs under the deck and around the garden under trees bushes. Hard to find. Many thanks

 

[GC-Raptor]

Hi everyone this is my first post as I've just joined. I'm curious to know why out of 3 chickens,one has laid 3 separate eggs without the shell? (Like a rubberised golden yolk, on left on photo) They all get feed a mixture of 50/50 maize & barnyard laying pellets plus any fruit or vegetable scraps. they scratch around nearly 800sqm of garden and grass under trees etc for bugs.
I'm wondering do I need to feed them grit? What do you recommend? Maybe theyre not getting any calcium with not many stones around. Not sandy soil.
Also is there any reason why they are not laying everyday and how do I get them to lay in the coop? They hide the eggs under the deck and around the garden under trees bushes. Hard to find. Many thanks

Layers pellets should be 90% and maize not more than 10%. They need calcium grit as oyster shell or crushed limestone or whatever is available in your country in a separate container available free choice. GC

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Hi everyone this is my first post as I've just joined. I'm curious to know why out of 3 chickens,one has laid 3 separate eggs without the shell? (Like a rubberised golden yolk, on left on photo) They all get feed a mixture of 50/50 maize & barnyard laying pellets plus any fruit or vegetable scraps. they scratch around nearly 800sqm of garden and grass under trees etc for bugs.
I'm wondering do I need to feed them grit? What do you recommend? Maybe theyre not getting any calcium with not many stones around. Not sandy soil.
Also is there any reason why they are not laying everyday and how do I get them to lay in the coop? They hide the eggs under the deck and around the garden under trees bushes. Hard to find. Many thanks

You found your problems.

Few eggs:
16% crude protein (if a complete blend of amino acids) is the minimum necessary for body maintenance and ovulation.
Corn is about 9% protein (give or take a little). Layer feed is usually 16% protein. By mixing half and half, their crude protein intake is 12% or less when figuring in the fruits and vegetables. Lose the corn completely and your production will go up.

Shelless eggs:
A hen in regular production needs about 4% calcium in the diet. Layer feed is 4%. Corn is less than 1%. They aren't getting enough calcium to build egg shells that require about 6 grams a day. The one laying that egg has depleted her bodily stores of calcium in the medullary bone and bloodstream. It's a good thing she isn't laying much or she could have rickets by now.

If one were to read the feed bag feeding instructions which is on every bag, it will say something to the effect that "this is a complete feed and no supplements are necessary". It also sometimes says that if grains are given they should be limited to 5% of the total intake. Nothing should be mixed with feed, whether that be grain, grit or oyster shell. The corn - if fed - should be tossed about to satisfy their innate need to scratch for food.

I would give oyster shell in one container and grit in another container - both separate from the feed container.
Oyster shell does not serve as grit since it is soluble. Grit should be insoluble so it stays in the gizzard to aid in grinding food.

Once the feed situation is worked out, lock them in the coop for a few days to force them to use the nest boxes. As creatures of habit, they'll continue to lay wherever they've laid before.

 

[Katcole]

Many thanks gc raptor and chicken canoe. Most helpful and interesting. Swift replies too.

Will try just using barnyard laying pallets and vegetables. I will just scatter corn about as an extra. Will order some oyster shell and get some grit. Will update post when things change with good results.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Just a handful of grain tossed about depending on how many birds. If 3 birds, perhaps a tablespoon full. Some days they don't get any here.
Corn is already the main ingredient in most feed so adding more is a problem.

 

[Katcole]

Thanks again for your help. After getting oyster shell grit, then only feeding barnyard laying pellets, leaving shell in small shallow container, one of my chickens laid it's first egg in 3 weeks.? I left the egg in the coop as a gesture to continue to remind it and to the 2, this is where eggs are laid. Now it stays in the coop trying to hatch it all day long sitting on the egg keeping it warm. Won't go out of the open cage to feed on grasses peck on the ground for insects etc as the others do. Thought once if it lays another egg, I'll take the 1st egg away until it becomes accustomted to being a laying hen. Feels like I'm playing the waiting game too?

 

[Cindyjohnson]

I have two hens given to me by a friend, and I want them to start laying eggs. What is the best feed, laying pellets?

If I feed them kitchen scraps and they fill up on that, will the scraps cause a problem from the protein levels being lower than the laying pellets?