⠀ Q: Why does Purina recommend feeding a single feed?

[JenniO11]

A: A complete feed, like Layena

feed, is important because hens require additional, specific nutrients when they begin laying eggs. We looked to our own backyard flock to fine-tune this feed so it will work best in the backyard poultry environments. If offered many different feedstuffs, chickens may pick and choose (much like children!) and will likely not get the optimal complement of necessary nutrients. One feed that contains everything they need is the best way to ensure proper nutrition.

To provide the nutrients your laying hens require, start feeding Purina® Layena® Premium Poultry Feed to hens when they begin laying eggs between ages 18 weeks and 22 weeks.

 

[253Orange]

I live in Southern California, my chickens have stopped laying eggs. I guess they are beginning to start their molting {?}. There are feathers all over the place every day. I only have three chickens, I spoil them to death. My question is: Is there anything that I should be doing this time of year to help them. They seem happy, I am raising lettuce, cabbage and Kale to feed them as well as crumbles, cracked corn, sun flower black seeds and meal worms. Do they need anything else? They should be laying a "golden egg", not happening.
Thanks

 

[DrMikelleRoeder]

From the sound of it, yes, your chickens are starting to molt. During this period, unfortunately, they will not be laying a golden egg any time soon. You have to let this natural process run its course.

Molting is very stressful on your birds, so it is even more important during this time that they receive all of the essential nutrients they need to avoid other health issues. If you are feeding Layena Crumbles, you’ll want the bulk of the diet to come from those nutrients, at least 90% of the diet from the complete feed. Sun flower seeds and meal worms are great sources of protein, but you don’t want your birds to fill up on those and not receive essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals found in the complete feed, so I would limit those and the greens to no more than 10% of the total diet. I would cut out the cracked corn completely, it is not needed.

To help support your birds through their molt:
• Make sure you offer plenty of space (4 sq.ft./bird inside and 10 sq.ft./bird outside)
• Wait until the molt finishes before adding new members to the flock
• Allow free-choice access to clean, fresh water
• Offer plenty of soft, clean bedding
• Minimize handling – the birds are very sensitive during feather regrowth
• Provide warmth

Once the molt has run its course, expect your birds to return to normal egg production and feather beauty!