Should I be happy or upset?

[GC-Raptor]

Flock Raiser is fine, it's 20% Protein. Continue to offer Oyster Shell in a separate container.
I have five 21 month old hens. I feed a 18% Protein layers pellet. It's harder to find, but I get mine at a local independent feed store.(I had to ask for it and they order it for me). I can also get a 20% Protein layers pellet, with animal protein, (PORCINE), at another local independent feed store in a different town.
I don't believe 16% Protein is enough for a backyard flock. Last summer I switched to a 16% layers pellet at 15 months of age. I was feeding 18% layers.
I fed them 3 bags, and I was not happy with their appearance or behavior.
I switched back to a 18% layers and their behavior and appearance improved.
I will never feed chickens less than 18% Protein again.
I believe 18/20% Protein is ideal from day old chicks up to and throughout adulthood, for egg layers and duel purpose chickens. GC

 

[caracals]

Just an update!
They're on 18% start & grow feed and they're all squatting!
I have a feeling we'll have eggs soon.

1 EE
1 Buff
1 RIR

And in response to a question, yes apparently EE's do better on more protein. She's been active and happy since I put her on the feed and she's squatting better than both the gals

 

[jeria]

This info on protein is helpful. So I won't stress over switching and the timing of Steven picking up his new roo. For some reason the selection of poultry feed is limited here in the KC metro area without heading for the "country". I'm lucky if a store has 1 bag of flock raiser. It sometimes means trips to 3 different stores to find some, though everyone has layer feed. Luckily they are on or close to my "normal travel routes. I've only had one soft egg since they started laying and that was the 2nd egg for that hen.

 

[caracals]

This info on protein is helpful. So I won't stress over switching and the timing of Steven picking up his new roo. For some reason the selection of poultry feed is limited here in the KC metro area without heading for the "country". I'm lucky if a store has 1 bag of flock raiser. It sometimes means trips to 3 different stores to find some, though everyone has layer feed. Luckily they are on or close to my "normal travel routes. I've only had one soft egg since they started laying and that was the 2nd egg for that hen.

Do you have Purina Start & Grow in nearby feed stores? I'm using that one and it's working very well.

 

[Kes]

Okay, so, I've started mixing in a higher protein feed recently but I've noticed that within the last week or two that my girls have been consuming a lot of grit. They don't appear to have any health issues and I've decided that I'm just going to start mixing it in with their regular food in case they're confusing it with a treat and also probably try adding Avia Charge 2000 to their water just as a precaution. I'm just wondering if it's normal for them to eat a lot more grit with certain foods? I've recently started to give them oats (with the hulls still on) and kale as a treat, along with some other things that they've been getting for a while now. I know fiber can be difficult for them to digest but I wasn't sure if the oats might be causing the increase in grit consummation. Does anyone have any ideas or experience with this?