% of protein ideal in feed?

[chickengirl2016]

Hello all!
I am doing research into chicken layer feed, store-bought as well as mixing my own, and i am curious what you guys do for your flock?
My family and I have been eating farm grown eggs for about 4 years, and just this year they changed their chickens feed to add in organic corn and soybean(not sure if its gmo or not). After that we all began to feel slightly ill after eating the eggs.
So now we have 5 hens of our own,and they are at 17 weeks of age.
I did some research on protein content in chicken feed and how most store-bought ones are terribly low for what hens really need( ? i am curious your opinions on this).
Most sites suggested a layer feed of 18-21% for healthier chickens. But I have read that maintaining that level can cause problems such as gout? Has anyone with higher protein levels in their food actually had this problem?
If I do decide to go with mixing my own feed, I would LOVE to possibly stay away from corn and soybeans, would mealworms(we would grow our own) be a good steady replacement for both of those or is their something else that would do better?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sylviethecochin]

Depends what you're feeding. Game hens need really high, heritage do best at about 20, and production sexlinks do well at about 16.

 

[snow5164]

I use 19% layer for all my birds ,
Columbia rock , sex links,silkies ,pekin and khaki Campbell’s ducks ....

Tried grower 16% and oyster on the side egg production dropped

 

[chickengirl2016]

I use 19% layer for all my birds ,
Columbia rock , sex links,silkies ,pekin and khaki Campbell’s ducks ....

Tried grower 16% and oyster on the side egg production dropped

Do you still feed the oyster alongside the 19%? Or is that not as necessary now?

 

[snow5164]

I have it out , it doesn’t get touched .
We just have it because we feel like we should ..... and it’s cheap

I also feed them cooked egg shells , so they might not need anymore

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I use 20% Flock Raiser with oyster shell in a separate container for all my chickens, ages, 7 weeks to 4 years. They have all thrived on it!

 

[snow5164]

I can’t get flock raiser at the feed mill I shop at , is 20% good for most birds?

I’m not sure if they can get too much? I know when mine molt I add sprouted lentils for more protein

 

[Melky]

Also depends on protein content of whatever else is in the feed. The Frugal Chicken and other websites create homemade organic recipes that support no corn or soy diets. This one includes mealworms.
https://thefrugalchicken.com/organic-homemade-chicken-feed/
Other authors are The Elliott Homestead, The Prairie Homestead.
You can search the internet and come up with plenty of homemade organic recipes for chicken feed. Shop around, see what looks good, price compare. See what looks reasonable to you.

Scratch and Peck and Big Sky also offer no corn or soy diets that are commercially prepared. Good Luck!

 

[oregonkat]

I know when mine molt I add sprouted lentils for more protein

Great idea! I'm getting my sprouting jars going right now!

 

[snow5164]

I read your post again ,
We did a mealworm farm years ago , in an aquarium... it was a good source of protein for sure but I never knew how much to give them . With the sprouts I feel ok giving them more because it’s veggies? Not sure if my logic makes sense,

I thought after 5 years I’d be a pro
Not so much