Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[ronott1]

I was just informed by the feed store that layer feed encourages chickens to lay. That they will not lay if they are not fed it, and that they should only be fed it if you want them to lay.
Anyone agree with that? I don't. Layer feed has lower protein, and adds calcium. That has been my understanding.

That is a good one!

layer feed is formulated to help hens and pullets form and lay eggs. They will lay eggs without it and since you will have a rooster in with the hens, you should not use it.

A good grower feed with free choice calcium is what you want to use. There is too much calcium in the layer feed so it will slowly over time kill him. It may take a couple of years but he will also not be as healthy.

We are going through something similar with my Wife. She has had too much calcium in her blood since at least 2007. The Dr.s are letting it happen but we are now going to work with another group to get it fixed. The most common cause, and the others have already been ruled out, is a benign tumor on one of the four glands that regulate calcium in the blood.

Anyway, too much calcium is a bad thing regardless of species.

 

[ronott1]

Hi! I presume you buy eggs to trigger your hens and not to eat

Research on line how frightfully hens are treated in commercial cages and never buy from these places again.Also find out WHAT these poor girls are fed.
Want to encourage egg laying? I use Red pepper, Cayenne, sprinkled on their feed. Learned it in Appalachia.

How long have you had chickens? Are you waiting for first eggs?

 

[Lanlul]

How long have you had chickens? Are you waiting for first eggs?

Hi! I have raised chickens for meat and eggs.( many years) I have several breeds but top layers at the present are Buff Orpingtons. Harsh winters can and will affect your hens . They need to recover.IMHO

 

[Lanlul]

Hi!
My Buff Orpingtons started laying at 21 weeks ( full scale) that was last Sept.2014.
They are winter hardy. I have raised chickens (small scale) for family meat and eggs for decades.

 

[BullChick]

I am aware of the effects of calcium on roosters. I am of the "oh well " group. I could get into the whys of that, but don't want to write another book (I've been writing too many long posts lately). If that makes you want to strangle me, say so. I will explain myself. Hopefully you'll loosen your grip.
Im going to the feed store later, and need to decide how much feed to get. I'm thinking a hundred pounds of chick and a hundred of layer. With a mixed group of 12-16 week-olds, I'm thinking fifty pounds of chick feed Per month for two months and then everyone will be big enough for layer feed. These are not hatchery chicks, so they probably won't be laying for another 2 to 4 months anyway.
Huh. Now I'm thinking about three bags of chick feed. I would rather chick feed longer than layer too soon.

 

[BullChick]

LOL! The feed store I usually go to still has chicks. Good thing I'm going to TSC!

 

[ronott1]

I am aware of the effects of calcium on roosters. I am of the "oh well " group. I could get into the whys of that, but don't want to write another book (I've been writing too many long posts lately). If that makes you want to strangle me, say so. I will explain myself. Hopefully you'll loosen your grip.
Im going to the feed store later, and need to decide how much feed to get. I'm thinking a hundred pounds of chick and a hundred of layer. With a mixed group of 12-16 week-olds, I'm thinking fifty pounds of chick feed Per month for two months and then everyone will be big enough for layer feed. These are not hatchery chicks, so they probably won't be laying for another 2 to 4 months anyway.
Huh. Now I'm thinking about three bags of chick feed. I would rather chick feed longer than layer too soon.

Your post sounds a bit lacking in awareness of hyperpathyroid disease? Or is it ho hum about the rooster?

There is a public education program about it for people with it. It is a slow killer but is much worse than high cholesterol.

Having seen my Wife live with it for all these years and the lack of proper care is a real eye opener.

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/parathyroid/

 

[cheeka]

I use some layer feed, when I can't get multi flock feed or game bird mix... I like the higher protein. someone told me that the higher protein isn't good because it will make them grow too big. I haven't noticed that at all, so you can't ever come up with that one winning combination. someone will always criticize something. but yeah, layer food is not good for roosters.

 

[BullChick]

My understanding is that it will cause eventual death of a rooster after many years.
I have chicks in there so often, chick feed is the most common feed.
I don't keep a rooster more than about a year (someone has better traits). So he doesn't have time to be damaged.
Farmers have been feeding layer feed for all for years.
All men deserve to suffer.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

I use some layer feed, when I can't get multi flock feed or game bird mix... I like the higher protein. someone told me that the higher protein isn't good because it will make them grow too big. I haven't noticed that at all, so you can't ever come up with that one winning combination. someone will always criticize something. but yeah, layer food is not good for roosters.

If it ain't broke... I have heard a lot of conflicting stuff about protein content, the latest being that too high protein % will put hens off their feed. Theory is their bodies know when they've had enough protein, so they stop eating and are too thin, not at an optimal weight for egg laying. It's confusing. 16% seems to be the ideal amount. I would think this is for hens that are cooped and have no free range or supplemental pie (like your lucky crew). My hens get layer feed and also roam outside the coop all day. Interestingly enough, they need supplemental oyster shell to keep the egg shells strong. The layer feed is not enough. Guess that's because it's not 100% of their diet. Couple of times I let the oyster shell bowl go empty, and sure enough, thin shells. Not a good way to be reminded!

Serama breeders recommend 16% protein for raising chicks and for adults. The combs grow too big with higher protein. They use all flock and cut the protein content with wild bird seed and oats and other stuff I can't remember.

My understanding is that it will cause eventual death of a rooster after many years.
I have chicks in there so often, chick feed is the most common feed.
I don't keep a rooster more than about a year (someone has better traits). So he doesn't have time to be damaged.
Farmers have been feeding layer feed for all for years.
All men deserve to suffer.