PROTEIN CONTENT LAYERS

[Gammond]

What is the best protein content for laying hens? Would 21% be too high?

I currently feed my entire flock chick starter @ 19% and have oyster shells available at all times.

The layer pellets in my area have only 16% protein, which I think it a little low. My chickens do better than my neighbors who are fed the 16%.

Thoughts?

 

[PD-Riverman]

What is the best protein content for laying hens? Would 21% be too high?

I currently feed my entire flock chick starter @ 19% and have oyster shells available at all times.

The layer pellets in my area have only 16% protein, which I think it a little low. My chickens do better than my neighbors who are fed the 16%.

Thoughts?

I have been raising chickens for over 50 years, 16% layer works great for my layers, (and my rooster) always has. Sure some feed a higher protein, some have fatter chickens, not sure if thats why or has anything to do with why some post problems I see posted on here. I do not feel you will go wrong with 16% layer!!

 

[Gammond]

I've also heard that the higher protein helps with molting (feathers growing back) and can even stop egg eaters... thanks for your reply Riverman.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I've also heard that the higher protein helps with molting (feathers growing back) and can even stop egg eaters... thanks for your reply Riverman.

I think a person should feed their chickens what they want, I also feel that those Smart People that make/sell layer are smarter Than I am and "Most" all the layer feed is in the 16% protein area. Even I mix a lot of mine---I shoot for 16% and my Layers do a great job. But I do Not knock anyone if they want to feed 18, 20, 24%, etc. I always say----Do Your Home-work and decide whats best for your flock.

 

[GC-Raptor]

What is the best protein content for laying hens? Would 21% be too high?

I currently feed my entire flock chick starter @ 19% and have oyster shells available at all times.

The layer pellets in my area have only 16% protein, which I think it a little low. My chickens do better than my neighbors who are fed the 16%.

Thoughts?

I like 18%. But am currently feeding 16% because the 18% was 4 weeks older, when I was at the store. I go for the fresher feed. I have been feeding it for nearly 2 weeks. So far so good. But I limit treats to only scratch grains or mixed bird seed, what they consume in 10 to 15 minutes twice a day.
If you're gonna feed more treats, like kitchen scraps your gonna want higher protein.
I think 16 to 20% is good, depending on how much you spoil them. GC

 

[aart]

I feed a higher protein feed so the extras I feed(scratch grains, kitchen scraps, etc) does not dilute the protein in the basic feed below the minimum 15-16% most often recommended for layers.

 

[mhay1]

What feed do you buy that has a higher protein? I use organic layer now that is only 16% protein, but I cannot seem to find anything organic that is higher unless I go with the grower feed which is 18%. Any suggestions if I want to increase their protein? I know some people suggest giving cooked scrambled eggs or cooked ground beef, but how much and how often? I would like to just give them a feed that is higher in protein content but I'm having difficultly finding an organic one. Please help

 

[PD-Riverman]

What feed do you buy that has a higher protein? I use organic layer now that is only 16% protein, but I cannot seem to find anything organic that is higher unless I go with the grower feed which is 18%. Any suggestions if I want to increase their protein? I know some people suggest giving cooked scrambled eggs or cooked ground beef, but how much and how often? I would like to just give them a feed that is higher in protein content but I'm having difficultly finding an organic one. Please help

I use a 35% Chicken Supplement that I get from my local feed and grain then I can mix it any where from about 8% to 35%.

 

[GC-Raptor]

What feed do you buy that has a higher protein? I use organic layer now that is only 16% protein, but I cannot seem to find anything organic that is higher unless I go with the grower feed which is 18%. Any suggestions if I want to increase their protein? I know some people suggest giving cooked scrambled eggs or cooked ground beef, but how much and how often? I would like to just give them a feed that is higher in protein content but I'm having difficultly finding an organic one. Please help

You can feed the grower 18% protein continuously and offer oyster shell on the side, in a separate container, or another option on the bag of oyster shell directions is to mix 1 pound of oyster shell to 20 pounds of feed. GC

 

[rebrascora]

Personally I don't understand why anyone would feed scrambled eggs to chickens that get 16% protein (unless they have a sick chicken that needs extra nutrition) to increase their protein intake. The protein content is to help them produce eggs. If you are then going to feed the eggs back to them to help them produce more eggs, it just doesn't make sense to me!
Personally I think 16% is fine. Here in the UK most grower is also just 16% which I'm also OK with. I don't feel like I need to push my chicks to grow at a certain rate. They will mature when they are ready. Yes moulting and re-growing feathers needs extra protein, but they are not usually producing eggs whilst they are moulting so the protein from their feed that is not being used for egg production, can and will be used for feather re growth instead. Of course, some people want their hens to lay through moult or get back to laying asap, so a higher protein diet may help boost that along with supplemental light. Personally I think that all costs extra money and the chickens are better having that down time over winter for their bodies to recuperate.
Some people say that heavier breeds need more protein, but heavier breeds normally lay less eggs that the lighter weight leghorns and hybrids, and are usually a bit less active, so it balances itself out in my opinion. That said, 16% layer has been developed for the commercial market where birds are not able to forage and is no doubt the optimum protein level for commercial egg producing birds that have access to no other food. If you are feeding your hens scratch, rice, pasta, bread etc which are lower in protein, then they will eat less of their layer feed and their overall intake of protein will be reduced. Then again they may also get bugs,worms and meat scraps which will be higher in protein and so perhaps bring it back up to 16%. It can get pretty complicated trying to work it all out, especially when you have no idea of how many bugs they are eating or grass they are filling up on, which is possibly why some people err on the high side and go for 18-20% but here in the UK that is nearly twice the price of 16% layer, so I don't think I will be changing anytime soon. I get quite enough eggs as it is and I give away the vast majority of them anyway.