To much scratch?

[Sherri1990]

I am currently feeding my bufff Orpington and black astrolorpes about a half a cup of scratch a day along with their layer feed. I have 13 hens total all laying. Is this to much? The weather got cold quick so I was trying to help them keep warm and keep weight on them.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Half a cup? I’d say that isn’t hurting anything.

 

[DogAndCat36]

I am currently feeding my bufff Orpington and black astrolorpes about a half a cup of scratch a day along with their layer feed. I have 13 hens total all laying. Is this to much? The weather got cold quick so I was trying to help them keep warm and keep weight on them.

Layer feed is for egg-laying so you can switch that to something else when they stop laying for the winter. The extra calcium is not being expelled from the body through eggshells. This can cause liver problems. I do not know what to switch it into though.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I always add a cup, or two of corn to my chickens feeders occasionally to put a little bit of extra fat on them for the winter months.

 

[DogAndCat36]

I always add a cup, or two of corn to my chickens feeders occasionally to put a little bit of extra fat on them for the winter months.

That is what I also do, they get more meat on their bones.

 

[MysteryChicken]

That is what I also do, they get more meat on their bones.

I feed 20% All Flock Pellets to put meat on them as a source of protein. Corn just adds fat.

 

[DogAndCat36]

I feed 20% All Flock Pellets to put meat on them as a source of protein. Corn just adds fat.

Yep.

 

[HuffleClaw]

I always add a cup, or two of corn to my chickens feeders occasionally to put a little bit of extra fat on them for the winter months.

I do this as well!

 

[Sherri1990]

Layer feed is for egg-laying so you can switch that to something else when they stop laying for the winter. The extra calcium is not being expelled from the body through eggshells. This can cause liver problems. I do not know what to switch it into though.

Ok. I wonder if they can go back to grower feed?

 

[Sherri1990]

I do this as well!

I’m so afraid of messing up their nutritional balance but they eat so much of their feed and it seems like the scratch would be less then 10% of their diet....