They should be getting enhanced levels of Vitamins A, D, E, B₂, manganese and the amino acids cystine, methionine and lysine over what is in most layer feeds.
16% isn't sufficient for breeders. However, it is complicated as you will discover by reading the following.
Though uncommon, there are companies that manufacture breeder feed and not just layer feed. The first indication is that they are normally about 17% protein or possibly 18%. The indication here is that you don't have to go crazy with the crude protein percentage. Just bringing the essential amino acid percentage up to where it should be, it only raises crude protein by a percentage point or so.
A bit on protein. Crude protein is made up of amino acids. There are 20 plus amino acids, depending on who's counting. Humans and most animals need all 20 but the body can make some (non-essential) amino acids if provided enough essential amino acids. Depending on some conditions there are 8, 9 or 10 essential amino acids for humans. Among those conditions are the blend of amino acids. Some are easily assimilated but if there is a deficiency of others and they are used up making the others, more AAs come into play as needed for health.
As opposed to humans, chickens have 13 or 14 amino acids that are essential.
Given all that, it is plausible that one can make a high protein feed that is devoid of several essential amino acids. That doesn't create a good feed no matter how many non-essential amino acids make up the crude protein. When there is an excess of some amino acids, they need to be processed by the liver and kidneys which are then excreted as nitrogenous waste. The downside of that is two fold. The chickens aren't getting the nutrition they need yet the excess still creates ammonia in the bedding.
What we as consumers rely on when buying feed is that a manufacturer will make sure by assaying ingredients and final product that there is an acceptable blend suitable for adequate chicken nutrition. That is one reason a labeling requirement in the US is to include the percentage of lysine and methionine on the guaranteed analysis tag on all chicken feed.
Not all nutrients are required to be listed on the guaranteed analysis tag.
Most feed mills don't list vitamins A, D and E. Generally speaking those that do are proud of those numbers but not in all cases.
The nutrient levels not listed should be obtainable by calling the manufacturer.
I hope some of that ramble made sense.
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