Over eating

[chickencoop57]

Hmm, never heard of pullets eating dirt, unless they were looking for some kind of grit but you say they have plenty access to that. Sounds like they may be missing protein. Mine gorge before entering the coop at night, as well, but I have a container mixed with Laying Pellets and crumbles, as well as some Chick Starter and about a cup full of crushed corn, mixed in with it and I've never seen them eating dirt.

 

[Malamute1]

I feed Scratch n Peck layer feed. But I didn't switch till they were 16wks. I used an organic crumble till then. You might try a small bag of grower crumble n see what happens. Are their crops small again in the morning. If not I might be concerned. Is the grass long where they free range. Long strands can ball up and cause an impacked crop. My girls like Search n Peck and eat well, but they will gobble crumble. Good luck.

 

[ChickensForEggs2500]

Wet is good, fermented is better (simply put, it's even stickier/clumpier). But if that doesn't fit your schedule feeding it wet is better than dry.

For my dry feed, I use Payback Hatch to Hen (which is an all flock crumble) or Layer Pellets. Since you're in CA maybe Modesto Milling is a more accessible brand, assuming you're looking for organic feed.

How's the Payback Hatch to Hen working out for you? I can get it at my local feed store, and I'm looking for a good All Flock feed. Just curious, what brand of layer pellets do you use? Also, ( Sorry, so many questions!!) would it be okay to mix layer feed and all flock feed together in a 1:2 or so ratio for layers, retirees, and duck hens? Or should I stick with one kind of feed? Thanks!

 

[Foxinthehenhouse]

I use Purina Layena pellets, during molt and in winter I ferment it. I also give free choice pellets.

 

[rosemarythyme]

How's the Payback Hatch to Hen working out for you? I can get it at my local feed store, and I'm looking for a good All Flock feed. Just curious, what brand of layer pellets do you use? Also, ( Sorry, so many questions!!) would it be okay to mix layer feed and all flock feed together in a 1:2 or so ratio for layers, retirees, and duck hens? Or should I stick with one kind of feed? Thanks!

Payback Hatch to Hen works great for me, I've raised 2 batches of chicks on it now, and the hens enjoy eating it too.

I also use Payback for layer pellets, once the chicks are old enough to lay. Mainly because I prefer pelleted feed over crumble (no matter how you serve it, crumble is messier). To reduce calcium load and increase protein I also ferment Scratch & Peck grower (or starter, if grower isn't available). It's more work to do it this way, so might not be worth the hassle for everyone, but seems to do the trick for me.

 

[Minky]

The reason I ask ... one of the first, and to my mind, most important, things I learned here, is not to feed layer formula unless all your birds are actively laying. And why, you ask? Because laying feed contains extra calcium - which is not only not needed by you non-layers but can actively harm them. It's hard on the kidneys of birds too young or old to lay, birds in molt or brooding, and any males in your flock, and over time can lead to early death. Since then I've always fed all-flock and just supplied calcium in the form of oyster shell separately, and whoever needs it helps themselves. Not everyone here agrees, but ... better safe than sorry is my opinion.

I have never ever been able to find an "All flock" in Canada. So we all feed our roosters calcium I guess.

 

[Minky]

I must say my wife and I have argued about this for years. We buy 11% egg layer pellets from our local MFA store 6 to 8 50lb bags at a time. When I feed the chickens i usually give them two big scoops in the morning. If its dry, I scatter it about the pen 40x60 area. They have an automatic watering system. Then each time i check for eggs during the day they get a scoop or bread or stale crackers or leftover pasta ( they love spaghetti) my wife on the other hand feeds them once per day and tries to make the feed last longer. Who is right who is wrong? I just know our of some 45 chickens we average 30 eggs a day. Now that the weather is cooler they have cut back to 15. All our eggs are solid shell extra large. Our chickens are happy and friendly. many come out and must be petted before you are allowed to enter the hen house.
I never messed with fancy supplements and my girls are all 6 to 9 years old. No rooster! He was a pain in my ###. Well I hope this helps. Best of luck to you and your feathered girls.
David

You're saying that you have 45 hens that are all 6-9 years old and you get 30 eggs a day. I'm sorry, that is bullocks,

 

[FarmerGirl101]

You're saying that you have 45 hens that are all 6-9 years old and you get 30 eggs a day. I'm sorry, that is bullocks,

I don't believe that either. I've got 4 year old leghorns and they don't lay very often anymore (when they do lay). Older hens do not lay that often

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have never ever been able to find an "All flock" in Canada. So we all feed our roosters calcium I guess.

It might be called something else. Even a chick starter or growth formula will do, just so it doesn't have added calcium. Ask someone at the feed store. Maybe a feather-fixer formula, although that's kind of high in protein. @Eggcessive, can you help us out here?

 

[Eggcessive]

Chick starter grower is identical in ingredients to all flock, so it is a good substitute. There should be crushed oystershell available in a separate container for the layers to take as they need it.