Switched from lay mash to grower and getting more eggs

[KickenChicken]

I recently got four chicks that are now all 13 weeks old, and switched to no medicated gower and being lazy and having no were to store an extra bag of feed, I switched my other girls to it at the same time. I figured with it being winter the extra protein would not hurt plus I offer them oyster shell all the time any way. The big change has been that out of three layers I was getting one to two eggs a day to now getting three every day for the last three weeks, the only other change is they are going through tripple the oyster shell they had been. Just thought I would share

Derrick

 

[matte]

Quote:
There might be something to that, or it might be due to the days getting longer. Without any change in feed, I've had a dramatic increase in egg production from both my 9 month old and 18 month old hens in the last two weeks. I would think that the increase in oyster shells would be due to the grower having less calcium in it. Either way, I'm sure the extra protein in the grower is probably good for them.

 

[Kittymomma]

I feed all of mine 22% gamebird for the same reason. I had chicks growing and hens molting that needed the extra protien and didn't want to mess around with three different kinds of feed. I really like it, but as matte said, it might have more to do with the longer days then the switch in feed. The egg production around here has doubled in the last week or so--YEAH, Spring is coming!!! Make sure you're offering oyster shell free choice with the new feed though because grower doesn't have enough calcium in it for laying hens.

 

[Country Heart]

Thanks for sharing.

I'll know spring is here when I get my baby chicks.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Quote:
I would guess they are laying more because the days are getting longer. Mine have also picked up and I haven't changed feed.... just longer days.

I was a little confused by your post though. You said you have them on grower now. Grower is normally 15% protein, which is actually less protein than most layer feed (which is 16%).

I am planning on switching to a higher percentage protein layer feed really soon though to help some of my hens in regrowing feathers...

 

[ange]

I am confused, and still new. I feed nutrena layer mash or crumbles, not sure which it is, I think it is crumbles and whole grain scratch for snacks. Is that right? Enough protein etc.? Out of 4 hens, that is all I have, but am looking for more. I receive 1 or 2 eggs a day, mostly 2 eggs a day, from I do not know whom? Are all 4 of my hens laying? Not sure how many eggs I am to get in a week? Does my feeding sound ok? I also give fresh water 2 or 3 times a day. Food is always available. I also through in nowe and ythen food scraps, and boiled eggs.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Hi Ange:

It sounds like you are feeding correctly. If you are just giving scratch for snacks you are fine. Scratch is low in protein so if you were giving a lot of it you'd need to include a higher protein source. Nutrena is actually the brand I'm considering switching too. They have a 16% layers feed and also a 20% layers feed. I'm considering going with the 20% layers feed to give a little extra protein.

I can't say for sure if all of your hens are laying or if they are all laying but just every other day. I would guess though that their laying will pick up now that the days are getting longer and your hens should be getting more light.

What breeds are your 4 hens? My production breeds (RSL, BSL, and RIR's) have done well this winter. My EE's, Anconas, and others had almost stopped producing but now the laying is increasing.

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
That's fine as long as you're not feeding a lot of the scratch. I like the higher protien gamebird feed because it's easy for me with a mixed flock, but there is nothing wrong with layer feed. Think of scratch as chicken candy--they love it and it's a good way to keep them tame, but it should be a treat and not a major part of their diet. How old are your hens and what breed(s) are they? Some breeds lay better in the winter and some mature faster then others so it's hard to say if they're all laying or not. Two eggs a day doesn't sound bad for this time of year though, it will probably pick up soon since the days are getting longer now.

ETA: I think I need to type faster.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Quote:
I think I need to type slower! It seems like I respond to a post... then I end up making edits to my post for spelling and other reasons...

 

[ange]

Thanks for your reply. My breed is RIR and l Welsummer. RIR are 9 months old, just started to lay, and my welsummer, is I do not know, she was bought at auction, so am not sure who is laying, or all. I also need to find out whhhhhhhhat nutrena I am using, if it is 10 or 20 protein. The feed store told me that it is the best, number l rated, but ... that is all they sell.