need more protein!!!

[treefarmer42]

BOSS will not do much to increase protein content in the diet, but will add significantly to the fat, which IMO is counterproductive most of the year.

Black oil sunflower seeds will be about 17% protein, 44% fat and 24% neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Striped sunflower seeds will be about 16% protein, 24% fat and 40% NDF.Aug 4, 2014

My mature Chickens favorite and healthiest snack. 1/2 cup thrown about the outside run during the afternoon for 8 chickens. All eaten by sundown.

 

[annagoodspeed]

Try giving them BOSS ( black oil sunflower seed) instead of corn for an afternoon scratch. they are 18% protein where corn is under 10. That could bump you up enough.

 

[TalkALittle]

Where's the feather loss? Could it be that you are seeing bare backs from overbreeding? You do have 3 roos to only 8 hens.

 

[rookhomestead]

Between the wings. I've started thinking maybe lice, it rained ALOT this winter and they weren't able to dust much. That coupled with the guineas harassing. I've only got 2 roos now. That wasn't a problem. They were split into 2 flocks, so there was only one mating with 5(2 we're missing feathers) perhaps they were getting caught by the other when I wasn't looking but the guineas do a good job of running them off. Its like THEY KNOW he doesn't belong. And I watch them ALOT. Theyre back to dusting frequently, so we'll see what happens. And I made a fire pit in their yard for the lye. I want to say feathers are already coming back. Idk behaviorally, they all seem happy. Although, now I have a guinea sitting on my broody muscovys back all day. stupid bird.