Scratch

[ChickenCanoe]

I up the protein to 18-20% during and after molt.

 

[farmboss]

What do you feed to do that we have only feed ground corn laying mash and free range

 

[farmboss]

About 50/50 on the corn and laying mash

 

[ChickenCanoe]

WAAAY too much corn.
Treats, which includes corn, should be under 10% of the total intake.
Corn is about 9% protein. If your layer mash is 16% protein and it's a 50:50 ratio, that means your chickens are getting 13.5% protein. That's way too low for egg laying and body maintenance.

The corn is also cutting other essential nutrients below what's needed.

 

[farmboss]

So corn should be a treat and not added to the hanging feeder to be consumed at free will
And if laying mash is 16 % what else do you give them to bump it up to 18-20

 

[farmboss]

I don't figure on what they forage when free ranging

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If you read the label on chicken feed, it will say something to the effect - "this is a complete feed, no supplements are necessary." That means, feed chicken feed and nothing else.
When foraging, they will supplement a small portion of their feed but that won't happen between October and March when everything is dormant.
Normally you don't have to bump up the protein. If they're molting, they're not laying eggs and need to build feathers. During that time switch to a higher protein starter/grower feed.
During the laying season they only need layer feed. Providing oyster shell in a separate container is a good idea.
Giving corn free choice will allow the chickens to eat all they want and they won't get the nutrition they need.

 

[farmboss]

Got you
I do some change up and let you know how it goes