⠀ Protein

[TherryChicken]

Mealworms. Great quick protein, added snack, chicken training device etc

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00R1...ell&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=mealwirms

If you're wanting to raise protein without having to mix Feeds, soybean meal or alfalfa meal are good additives to supplement their feed with, and they won't send your calcium content through the roof

Thank you!

 

[TherryChicken]

Purina flock raiser? If so that is 20% I believe. Most layer is around 16% but certain brands are higher and even a little lower. If you have a bag that still has a tag just check it. ..or Google up the brand and find it there.
An easy commercial feed approach is to mix in some game bird feed. Cat food is popular as a mix in, mealworms, animal protein scraps, etc.

Yes purina flock raiser and purina layena layer. I only have canned cat food, not dry

 

[ChickenCanoe]

But I need protein, not calcium. I do have oyster shells though. So not a problem. They get a mix of layer and flock raiser. Idk how much protein is in them, I'll have to check in the morning. However what can I give them for protein?? How often, how much, and How long??

Animal protein is the best for a boost that contains the essential amino acids they need.

Any meat or fish will work. The cheapest thing that I suggest is canned mackerel, it is much cheaper than tuna or any other canned fish and still a good animal protein source.
Give it till their behavior changes. I don't know how many chickens you have. A daily treat of meat or fish till feather eating ceases. Feathers are 93% protein so that is an easily available source for them.

500 four week old (12") crickets are about $12 and the chickens love to chase them around the coop.

I've heard eggs (don't have enough to use that), dry cat food (only have wet, boiled chicken (idk how to cook that and we don't have any meat), ect

You can cook chicken any way you would for yourself.
Don't bother with eggs, they won't up the protein since they're only 13%.

Yes purina flock raiser and purina layena layer. I only have canned cat food, not dry

Purina flock raiser is 18%, some brands are 20%, Layena is 16%.
Not all cat food is created equal. Read the label, it will have the protein % listed. I've seen cheaper cat food that was lower in protein than chicken feed.
Cat's dietary needs are much different than chickens so it isn't really appropriate.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Purina flock raiser is 18%, some brands are 20%, Layena is 16%.

Every bag of purina flock raiser i have seen/bought/fed is 20%. Nutrena all flock is 18

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I stand corrected. I buy so many brands, I lose track. Maybe it's Nutrena that's 18.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I stand corrected. I buy so many brands, I lose track. Maybe it's Nutrena that's 18.

i hear you there, hope I didn't come across wrong

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Not at all. I always read labels for protein % and ingredients when I buy so it's not something I commit to memory.

It's a bummer though because we used to have a feed co-op that we let fall apart. The variety of feed was amazing and it was delivered. We could get organic in various percentages from 16 to 20, soy free, conventional in everywhere from 15-27%. For animal protein I could get 60% fishmeal and porcine meat and bone meal.

The thing about most feeds is that they are vegetarian. For that reason, manufacturers have to add the essential limiting amino acids methionine and lysine in synthetic form. That's the beauty of animal protein. It's already in there.

 

[TherryChicken]

Thank you. I'll try n find something

 

[lomine]

But I need protein, not calcium. I do have oyster shells though. So not a problem. They get a mix of layer and flock raiser. Idk how much protein is in them, I'll have to check in the morning. However what can I give them for protein?? How often, how much, and How long??

What Egghead_Jr is saying is that the flock raiser has higher protein than the layer so when you feed flock raiser alone your overall protein will be higher than if you mix them.

 

[TherryChicken]

What Egghead_Jr is saying is that the flock raiser has higher protein than the layer so when you feed flock raiser alone your overall protein will be higher than if you mix them.

That was based off of oyster shells not flock raiser, but thank you . Happy Halloween btw everyone!!