Crumbles would be fine. There are usually crumbles or pellets. But those are just the shape. The crumbles could be layer, starter, or grower. The main difference is layer usually has a lower protein content and higher calcium, often 16% protein and 4% calcium. So how to tell if the crumbles are the same as layer or not, you would check the tag that is often sown to the bottom of the feed bag. Even a gamebird, turkey, or duck feed should be fine as long as it is for poultry. Those ones usually have higher protein levels than chicken feed. The "flock raiser" that I use says it's for all of them, for people who raise all those birds together. 16% protein is the lowest possible amount to sustain the layers life so you rarely see lower.
I wasn't actually suggesting that it was AI, just using it as an example reason why the department do provide testing.
Since all birds are individuals, they won't synchronize their molting. I felt bad when one of my girls waited until the dead of winter before entering molt. So some may still molt later, or not.
I don't use light as I am not trying to get every egg possible out of my chickens and I think it increases their stress level. Also I think it increases other health issues like egg binding. And I am happy to let my chickens live the way they were created.
Even though you didn't keep her body, most of us wouldn't.... You are armed with info if there ever is an unfortunate need in the future.
I just ordered a bag of barley. Since you do have internet, look up sprouting barley for fodder. I think Ireland is pretty far north, so I don't know how conducive the temps will be to sprouting. But the science to sprouting indicates huge benefits both nutritionally and financially. So that's win, win. And it sounds super easy to do. There are different types of barley as well. If it is pearled, it will not sprout. But whole should.
Also, if I want something my LFS doesn't carry, they are always willing to order from their suppliers and usually the price is very decent the same as what they have in store & they just don't sell enough of that product to wanna keep it on shelf.
I am honored to be able to help answer questions!
So if I jumbled anything up or left anything specific unanswered, feel free to ask again. I am sure one day you will be answering someone else's questions.
If you need to, the feed store could probably tell you the nutritional analysis over the phone for the crumbles. Look for about 1% calcium and preferably 20% protein, but down to 16 and up to 28 is probably OK. I don't use grit because my chickens have access to the ground and dirt and therefor get it naturally.
