Need advice on 18% layer feed...

[av8ersteve]

I was getting ready to buy my first bag of layer pellets, was going to get Layena 16% from Tractor supply, but have read that I need 18% for my Golden Comets. What should i get for my soon to be, laying girls from Tractor supply? I want something that they will love, and will permanently be on without having to switch them to something else later on. Thanks all.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Look at the Purina flock raiser. Put out a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You can get a lot of different opinions on this. if you read enough on here you will find that some people are really happy with 16% protein feed while others insist that you need 22% protein feed no matter what. A lot of people are somewhere in between. If you are raising them to show or have some other specialty reason you may need a certain one. If all you are after is eggs the hens generally do OK on any of them.

The commercial egg operations feed 16% protein feed, or at least really close to 16%. That is all they feed though. They do not feed them treats and generally do not allow them to graze for forage. If you are feeding a lot of low protein treats or if they forage for a lot of their food then a higher protein feed may suit you better.

The commercial operations keep hybrid hens especially developed for egg laying. Those hybrids are extremely good at converting feed to eggs. If they feed a higher protein feed they will experience more prolapse and eggbound hens. The more protein they eat the larger the eggs, the larger eggs can lead to medical problems with those small bodied hybrid hens. Those hens still lay a lot of Grade A large eggs on that 16% protein feed.

Most of our hens are not the hybrid commercial layers. They are not that good at converting protein and other nutrients to eggs. They generally have larger bodies and don't lay eggs that large for their body size. They can handle a higher protein feed, especially if they get lower protein treats. I don't know how you manage your chickens or what your ultimate goals are. It is tremendously likely your hens will do great on an 18% protein feed.

For what it is worth I have dual purpose chickens and feed them a 15% protein feed. They graze a lot and get treats such as low protein excess or waste from my garden. My hens lay a lot of eggs. They are not huge eggs but are a decent size. Those hens hatch out a lot of healthy chicks and are themselves in good health. I don't have prolapsed or eggbound hens. I'm very happy with the results I get.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have Golden Comets and had them on 18% Start & Grow till they started to squat around 16 weeks. I then switched to Feather Fixer, it's 18% Protein over the next 2 weeks by mixing it 50/50 with the starter feed. I also mixed the pellets 50/50 with scratch to get them used to Pellets and scattered on the ground.
Yes you can feed Feather Fixer year round, says so on the bag.
I have also fed them Nutrena Naturewise Hearty Hen 18%, that I got from a local farm and feed.
I am currently feeding them Non-Medicated Start & Grow because I only have 3 hens now, and I can get a 25# bag, 40 pounds goes bad before I finish it. I have Oyster Shells in a separate container for the Calcium. GC
ETA; Feather Fixer averages 3.5% Calcium so that may be enough if you don't give many treats. I always keep Oyster Shells available no matter what I feed them.

 

[Kathy Golla]

My experience with Golden Comets has been exactly what @Ridgerunner said. Whatever it is about protein higher than 16% the Golden comets body hates it. 16% she seems to be the happiest with. They seem to need a lot of calcium and lower protein. My Golden Comet is just not a good free range oyster shell eater.
My other hens, alas, like the flock raiser at 18%, lower calcium, but they eat a lot of oyster shell.
I can’t get feather fixer locally, which has more calcium than flock raiser.

 

[Flamens Farm]

I think Kathy Golla said it in her last sentence different areas of the country have different feed available. Sometimes it's a trial and error things. What I started my chickens on I found out they really didn't care for and what some people suggested I can't get in my area. So I tried different ones until I found the right one that made them happy and healthy. Those that raise that type of breed know best. Because of the type I own, I will be starting them on 26% protein tomorrow.

 

[jreardon1918]

Do you have a local feed store that knows their stuff? We have one near us. Ventura Grain in Taunton, Ma. They have been very helpful. They guided me to their 16% layer pellets. There is also free choice oyster shell available in the coop. Our 7 have done great. Plenty of eggs large eggs. They do have a pretty large run, so the feed consumption has gone down quite a bit. They get some table scraps. Treats are limited to a bit of bread fed by our grand child. As the fall and the first big molt approaches, I will take their advice as to any changes in feed. Good luck.