Thin shelled eggs

[ChickenCanoe]

I rarely feed layer feed. I keep a small amount of 17% and 20% protein layer on hand if a whole flock is laying.
For flocks where some are in production and some aren't and all flocks with roosters, they get a 16% fermented grower feed. Each flock has 2 containers of oyster shell - one next to the feeder and one next to the nests. They'll pick up what they need when the egg enters the shell gland.

Like Chris King said, there's a variance between individuals' needs. Not only in their ability to utilize intake but also consider that you'll have some birds laying almost daily and others laying a couple eggs a week. The former will need twice the calcium of the latter due to almost 2.5 grams of calcium per egg.

 

[critterkeeper25]

Yes, we offer free choice oyster shell. It's right next to the grit. I know that they go into it because it is always all over the ground under the OS feeder. As for the game bird feed, I don't think that it is labeled for layer or grower. Just game bird feed. As for the "dumb bird" question... who knows. LOL I have never seen the hens get into the oyster shell or grit.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

@critterkeeper25
You know what birds the game bird feed is for by reading the guaranteed analysis tag with ingredients attached to the bag. If the calcium is in the neighborhood of 4%, it is for layers. All other feeds will be about 1% calcium. Min. Max. is on every tag. Often either the bag or the ingredient tag will have feeding instructions and what animals for which it is intended. It will also list all ingredients in descending order according to volume. Most of the things you can't pronounce are stabilized vitamins, minerals and amino acids deficient in the main ingredients like corn and soy.

I guess most people don't read ingredient labels on their personal groceries and that habit carries over to animal feeds.

 

[critterkeeper25]

Well, MDH is back to buying the layer feed again, since they are done their molt. The next time I'm in TSC I'll look at the bag to see what the amount of calcium and protein is in the game bird feed. We cut back on the scratch grains. We were using them as a treat diversion to allow us to get in and out of the garage with our car without running any of the hens over. As soon as they hear the door to the house open, they come running. Under your feet, almost climbing into the car...etc. Guess we'll have to find some other kind of diversion.

We haven't been having as many thin shelled eggs. So I guess that they were either filling up on too much scratch, or maybe just other things that they have been forraging on while out of the coop/run? We were also feeding them collards, kale, broccoli, and cabbage this winter to make up for the lack of green forrage. Maybe they were filling up on that also.

I noticed that you have honey bees? We also have them. We had six hives when we went into winter but lost two due to the really harsh weather we had this year. It's a shame. They starved out while being only inches away from their honey stores. Makes me sad.

Oh, and contrary to what you thought...I do look at food lables. This is our first year with chickens. I'm sure that we will get better at making sure that their diet consists of the nutrients they need. I don't think that the books we had went into detail about the mineral, vitamin, and protein requirements of the average chicken. Maybe it did, but unfortunately I don't remember reading it, if so. I'm going to go and check.

Have a good one.

 

[mainechicklet]

Quote: A friend of mine lost his hive this year also. Same as yours, starved inches from their honey supply.