PROTEIN CONTENT LAYERS

[rebrascora]

PS. The person who is feeding their hens so much scratch that it takes them 10-15 mins to eat it, twice a day, may be giving them far too much unless it is scattered over a very large area. Mine get enough mixed corn that they clear it within a couple of minutes once a day and not every day. If you measure by volume, you want to be giving them no more than 10% of their daily ration as scratch with no other treats. If you give other treats as well, reduce the scratch further. Too much scratch or corn can cause them to become obese and that leads to laying issues and serious health problems.

 

[GC-Raptor]

PS. The person who is feeding their hens so much scratch that it takes them 10-15 mins to eat it, twice a day, may be giving them far too much unless it is scattered over a very large area. Mine get enough mixed corn that they clear it within a couple of minutes once a day and not every day. If you measure by volume, you want to be giving them no more than 10% of their daily ration as scratch with no other treats. If you give other treats as well, reduce the scratch further. Too much scratch or corn can cause them to become obese and that leads to laying issues and serious health problems.

Yes I scatter it over a large area in used straw bedding that I dump in their 500 square foot pen, from the weekly coop cleaning.
I give no kitchen or table scraps.
They free range over 1 acre, 2 hours before sunset daily, weather permitting.
I give them a half cup twice a day for 5 fifteen month old Golden Comets, since they were 8 weeks old.
Last week I got 30 eggs.
So far this week, today is Thursday, I have gotten 24 eggs.
Today is the third day of an expected four day heat wave of 90 degrees Fahrenheit temps.
I am slightly cooler here at 85 today for a high in the country.
I am currently feeding a 16% Protein layers feed. GC
Edited to add, they have unlimited access to layers feed.

 

[mhay1]

I probably forgot to mention that some of my hens are losing feathers so that's why I wanted to increase their protein, from what I've read. Some are losing feathers and some aren't and I have a variety of different breeds. I thought some were starting to molt, (they are 1 year old now), but now I'm reading simular chicken owners descriptions of feather loss that it could be from mites! It is very confusing now that I read it could be molting or it could be mites, and to add to that confusion is there are different kinds of mites with different ways to treat. Yikes, and how do you get a chicken to lay on their back at night to look for the mites. Is there any other way to determine a mite infestation? And is there a broad spectrum treatment for any mite if that's what it is? I've read some other posts now with links to determining mites, lice etc. and now I'm more worried and confused than before.

 

[aart]

Yikes, and how do you get a chicken to lay on their back at night to look for the mites.

I sit in a chair in coop and lay them on my lap their heads towards my knees,
wearing an apron forms a bit of a sling, my legs hold their wings.
I do this well after dark when they are easy to 'catch' off the roost,
and wear a headlight so I can use both hands to part feathers.
Would be much easier to have some to help.

Bugs Check Blurb
Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).
Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

If you do find some...check out this thread:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134783/permethrin-spray

 

[GC-Raptor]

I probably forgot to mention that some of my hens are losing feathers so that's why I wanted to increase their protein, from what I've read. Some are losing feathers and some aren't and I have a variety of different breeds. I thought some were starting to molt, (they are 1 year old now), but now I'm reading simular chicken owners descriptions of feather loss that it could be from mites! It is very confusing now that I read it could be molting or it could be mites, and to add to that confusion is there are different kinds of mites with different ways to treat. Yikes, and how do you get a chicken to lay on their back at night to look for the mites. Is there any other way to determine a mite infestation? And is there a broad spectrum treatment for any mite if that's what it is? I've read some other posts now with links to determining mites, lice etc. and now I'm more worried and confused than before.

My girls are gonna be 16 months old Sunday. They started to loose feathers a couple of weeks ago. Some chickens molt early and slowly. This will be their first adult molt. So don't panic. Your girls could be molting too.
Just use the advice aart gave on a couple of the hens with the most feather loss. GC