Stop Layer feed when my chickens aren't laying?

[Holly67]

Hello~

I know this is a pretty basic question and is probably answered somewhere on the forum but I'm not sure if I'm suppose to stop using layer feed in the winter months when the girls aren't laying. They are just a few years old now and in previous winters I just kept giving them pelletized layer feed-- that's ok?

 

[rjohns39]

Hello~

I know this is a pretty basic question and is probably answered somewhere on the forum but I'm not sure if I'm suppose to stop using layer feed in the winter months when the girls aren't laying. They are just a few years old now and in previous winters I just kept giving them pelletized layer feed-- that's ok?

That's fine. If it get's really cold you can add a little corn as well.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The concern would be the amount of calcium in the Layer. You can get different opinions on that. Some people are concerned the excessive calcium in the feed will harm their internal organs since it is not being used for egg shells. Some people that have a rooster in the flock don't feed Layer at all because of the concern about the rooster eating higher levels of calcium. They tend to use a different feed and offer oyster shell or some other calcium supplement on the side.

Others are not concerned about it. Since they are not laying eggs they don't eat as much so the total grams of calcium they eat in a day is less. Or they think that grown chickens' bodies can expel the excessive calcium. If they eat a fair amount of things other than the Layer, especially low calcium things, or if they forage a lot they may not be getting that much total calcium. It's not about how much calcium is in one bite, it's about how many total grams they eat in a day, averaged out over several days.

There are all kinds of opinions and rationales on both sides of this. I don't know for certain which is correct but since I almost always have younger chicks in the flock that should not be eating the excessive calcium anyway I avoid the dilemma by never feeding Layer but feed Grower with oyster shell on the side.

 

[Patinas]

I'm on the side of not forcing calcium on them year round exactly because they will lay less during winter and when they molt. I'm a big believer that chickens know what they need and when they need it so for that reason I feed grower/starter with OS/Grit always available separately.

Obviously there are lots of folks that feed layer feed year round with no ill effects. I made my decision to stick with grower/starter based on all the reading I've done on this topic. I do not plan to add supplemental lighting during the winter and when molting, they need higher protein than in layer feed. I personally don't see the logic in forcing calcium on them year round so allowing the hens to get their calcium on an "as needed" basis just makes sense to me given my flock management plan. Also, that takes away the guessing on when to switch them on/off layer feed if you're worried about the too much calcium issue.

There is also the opinion out there that feeding starter/grower year round is not healthy due to the higher protein percentage and that they will get fat which is also not good. Again, I have faith chickens know what they need and my responsibility is to make it available.

There are no hard and fast rules on this topic so everyone needs to decide what works best for them and their flock. The good news is there are many different options so it's just a matter of picking one that works for you and you feel good about.

 

[Holly67]

Thank you so much for the above replies. I'm leaning towards the idea of trying grower in the winter and not forcing a high-calcium diet when they don't need it. (I'll always offer oyster shells, though, on the side so they have a choice.) Patinas, I like what you said about chickens knowing what they need... my girls have a ravenous appetite while laying and become very light eaters when not. Sometimes they go insane over the worms I help them unearth and sometimes they won't touch 'em; the greens I bring from our garden, same deal, sometimes they'll pick kale, etc. down to the spine and sometimes it's just left to wilt. I make sure high-quality feed is the foundation of their diet but other than that, I'm realizing I take my cues from them on what to offer and how much based on the interest shown (or not). They're always adjusting their order.

 

[Patinas]

My opinion that chickens know what they need and when they need it comes from reading and just watching them. I put out a treat tray when they are out free ranging almost every day and almost all of them (a flock of 20) will run over and start pecking at the assortment initially, but often I see individuals that, for example, only want the cherry tomatoes, or some watermelon and then walk away from the tray. At first I thought it had to do with the pecking order but they have proved me wrong on that thought. Even the top hen will have days she barely eats anything on the tray and the next day it's an all out buffet pig out for her.

Also, when I started offering OS, only the few that were initially laying would eat it. The others would certainly taste it but otherwise avoided it....until they started laying. Now, I have to refill the OS feeder about every 4 days because now that they are all laying they gobble it up.

That tells me they knew when they needed it so come winter or molting season, I fully trust they will know that they don't need as much calcium so why force it on them.

If I change anything at this point it would be to try fermenting but even then, I would ferment the starter/grower I'm currently feeding them.

 

[Folly's place]

I have a mixed flock of laying hens, youngsters, males, and some old hens no longer in lay. They all get Flock Raiser, with oyster shell on the side for the layers, and some other treats and stuff. It's easy and works great for me. Mary