What are you feeding your Layers and why do you like it?

[Jakoda]

I' m looking ahead and trying to figure out what to feed my now 14 week old chickies for optimal health and good laying. (australorps/specsussex/buff orps/slws/colum wyandotte)

There's sooo many different feeds! I have a dealer near me trying to push me to Poulin but I know little about what brands are good and what aren't..

So help me out, suggestions? I've been looking at Purina Layena Omega 3 layer feed, good? not so good??
Thanks Diane

 

[Jakoda]

oops should have added, I can't free range, to many critters, but the chickies get a variety of veggies, fruits, rice, treats..

 

[Fred's Hens]

All the major brands of feed are tested and likely of good quality.

What is missing in almost all of them is animal protein. The chicken's diet, especially free ranging chickens, is full of animal, not just plant, protein, derived from grubs, worms, bugs, and "meat" shall we say, they find killed or lying around. A contained chicken lacks the ability to supplement their diet with animal protein, so it is helpful and enriching to provide that.

 

[Jakoda]

thanks Fred, I have tried giving them worms, they aren't interested Now they LOVE dried meal worms, which I give them a good handfull daily..And they are always chasing flying bugs, but it seems like bugs on the ground, they want nothing to do with.

Any suggestions on things to 'supplement' with that will provide animal protein?
Thanks
Diane

 

[mickey328]

I get 20% protein layer pellets from Ranchway. So far, they're doing very well. In addition to all the feed they want, they get all sorts of fresh greens, veggies, fruit, grain, etc.

For additional protein, I give them plain non-fat yogurt with active culture, cheese of any sort, cooked pinto beans and...meat. I don't feed them any pork products or processed meats but when we have scraps of anything else, I make sure it's not salted (sometimes I rinse it off), cut it into swallow-able sized pieces for them...they love it!