More Protein

[chickensforkids]

Most time and cost effective would be meat or fish scraps from your meals. If not available, a can of mackerel dished out a bit each day. That is the cheapest canned fish in the market yet still good quality animal protein.
A more long term solution would be to switch to an 18% grower or all flock feed.
Are you feeding anything other than the layer feed?
Are all your chickens laying?

Occasionally they get left over scraps, mostly veggies, but they had a turkey carcus at thanksgiving. When we have super cold nights I give them scratch.

Would 18% be enough?

 

[chickensforkids]

Most time and cost effective would be meat or fish scraps from your meals. If not available, a can of mackerel dished out a bit each day. That is the cheapest canned fish in the market yet still good quality animal protein.
A more long term solution would be to switch to an 18% grower or all flock feed.
Are you feeding anything other than the layer feed?
Are all your chickens laying?

Most of them are laying, but I have a few slower growers (jersey giant) that haven't started yet.

 

[donrae]

Is there any harm in feeding them grower feed? Would they be missing other things that they need that way?

No harm, the only thing it's lower on is calcium. I've always fed my eggshells back to the flock, and toss a handful of oyster shell to them from time to time. But everyone here gets all-in-one or grower, it's about 19% protein if I recall correctly.

 

[chickensforkids]

No harm, the only thing it's lower on is calcium. I've always fed my eggshells back to the flock, and toss a handful of oyster shell to them from time to time. But everyone here gets all-in-one or grower, it's about 19% protein if I recall correctly. 

Why do they even make layer feed if it isn't appropriate for them? I guess I will have to exchange the bag I bought on Sunday!

 

[TalkALittle]

Why do they even make layer feed if it isn't appropriate for them? I guess I will have to exchange the bag I bought on Sunday!

Because it is a perfectly adequate diet and the most cost effective formula to produce for the majority of laying hens if fed as the sole ration.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The only thing that they would be missing is higher calcium which is easily supplemented with oyster shell or another calcium source in a separate container they can consume if they want to.
Other than protein and calcium, there are only subtle differences in other nutritents.

Layer feed is about 4% calcium. All other feeds are about 1%. Only birds actively building egg shells need higher calcium.
Chicks need the highest protein, growing birds need a bit less. Nearly mature birds need the least (approx.. 15%). Once production starts they can use a bit more because of all the protein they deposit in the egg. Molting birds can use more essential amino acids to build a new winter coat.

 

[donrae]

Layer feed is probably one of the most well-researched animal feeds on the planet. It's carefully formulated to be a balance between adequate nutrition and cost control. Protein is expensive, so they've calculated the bare minimum the majority of production bred birds need to produce, in a confinement operation where they don't get any other feed to mess with the nutritional balance and don't have a lot of exercise opportunity to burn off precious calories needed for egg production. It's perfect for what it's meant for.

Thing is, backyard flocks are different. We feed our birds treats, usually lower protein veggie or grain types, and that lowers the overall protein levels the bird has. Our birds have more space, so they burn more calories overall. We encourage behaviors like scratching and foraging. We also keep breeds that aren't production-based, but still want them to lay well and be healthy. We're also more attached to our birds.....if a handful of birds in a confinement egg operation don't do well on layer, no biggie to the operator. If one or two birds in a small backyard flock don't do well on layer, it's a big deal to the flock owner, both production wise and emotionally.

So, layer does have it's purpose. It's just not for everyone. I wouldn't return the bag, just buy a bag of grower. Or see if you can get something higher protein, like maybe turkey starter? I'm not sure right off what protein levels are of other feeds, but ask at the feed store. You can then just mix the feeds.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Layer feed is probably one of the most well-researched animal feeds on the planet. It's carefully formulated to be a balance between adequate nutrition and cost control. Protein is expensive, so they've calculated the bare minimum the majority of production bred birds need to produce, in a confinement operation where they don't get any other feed to mess with the nutritional balance and don't have a lot of exercise opportunity to burn off precious calories needed for egg production. It's perfect for what it's meant for.

Thing is, backyard flocks are different. We feed our birds treats, usually lower protein veggie or grain types, and that lowers the overall protein levels the bird has. Our birds have more space, so they burn more calories overall. We encourage behaviors like scratching and foraging. We also keep breeds that aren't production-based, but still want them to lay well and be healthy. We're also more attached to our birds.....if a handful of birds in a confinement egg operation don't do well on layer, no biggie to the operator. If one or two birds in a small backyard flock don't do well on layer, it's a big deal to the flock owner, both production wise and emotionally.

So, layer does have it's purpose. It's just not for everyone. I wouldn't return the bag, just buy a bag of grower. Or see if you can get something higher protein, like maybe turkey starter? I'm not sure right off what protein levels are of other feeds, but ask at the feed store. You can then just mix the feeds.

Excellent explanation.

Game bird grower rations can be from 22-27% protein. That's too high for chickens IMO.
I did discover a game bird maintenance feed that was only 13% protein. I may try to get that for my roosters.

 

[lazy gardener]

Layer feed is probably one of the most well-researched animal feeds on the planet. It's carefully formulated to be a balance between adequate nutrition and cost control. Protein is expensive, so they've calculated the bare minimum the majority of production bred birds need to produce, in a confinement operation where they don't get any other feed to mess with the nutritional balance and don't have a lot of exercise opportunity to burn off precious calories needed for egg production. It's perfect for what it's meant for.

Thing is, backyard flocks are different. We feed our birds treats, usually lower protein veggie or grain types, and that lowers the overall protein levels the bird has. Our birds have more space, so they burn more calories overall. We encourage behaviors like scratching and foraging. We also keep breeds that aren't production-based, but still want them to lay well and be healthy. We're also more attached to our birds.....if a handful of birds in a confinement egg operation don't do well on layer, no biggie to the operator. If one or two birds in a small backyard flock don't do well on layer, it's a big deal to the flock owner, both production wise and emotionally.

So, layer does have it's purpose. It's just not for everyone. I wouldn't return the bag, just buy a bag of grower. Or see if you can get something higher protein, like maybe turkey starter? I'm not sure right off what protein levels are of other feeds, but ask at the feed store. You can then just mix the feeds.

Awesome post, DR!!! An other option to increase protein for that bag of layer would be to toss a handful of kitty kibble to the birds daily! Or it can be mixed into the layer, but they'll pick it out.

 

[junebuggena]

Layer feed is probably one of the most well-researched animal feeds on the planet. It's carefully formulated to be a balance between adequate nutrition and cost control. Protein is expensive, so they've calculated the bare minimum the majority of production bred birds need to produce, in a confinement operation where they don't get any other feed to mess with the nutritional balance and don't have a lot of exercise opportunity to burn off precious calories needed for egg production. It's perfect for what it's meant for.

Thing is, backyard flocks are different. We feed our birds treats, usually lower protein veggie or grain types, and that lowers the overall protein levels the bird has. Our birds have more space, so they burn more calories overall. We encourage behaviors like scratching and foraging. We also keep breeds that aren't production-based, but still want them to lay well and be healthy. We're also more attached to our birds.....if a handful of birds in a confinement egg operation don't do well on layer, no biggie to the operator. If one or two birds in a small backyard flock don't do well on layer, it's a big deal to the flock owner, both production wise and emotionally.

So, layer does have it's purpose. It's just not for everyone. I wouldn't return the bag, just buy a bag of grower. Or see if you can get something higher protein, like maybe turkey starter? I'm not sure right off what protein levels are of other feeds, but ask at the feed store. You can then just mix the feeds.

I love this explanation. Layer feed is great, if that is all the flock will ever get. When you add 'treats', scratch and forage; layer becomes inadequate. There are lots of chicken owners who seem to think that layer feed has some sort of magic ingredient needed for a hen to lay eggs. It's simply not true. It's too low in protein for the way most backyard flock owners keep their chickens. Grower, all flock, or flock raiser with crushed oyster shell is best for flocks that get daily treats or free range a lot.