What do you give your hens for protein?

[SchwartzLakeFarmNC]

I add 1/4 cup of calf manna to their feed 2-3 times a week when they're molting. That's for 6 birds.

We also feed Calf Manna during molts, they love the stuff, but smells like licorice and makes their poops look gross too, but sure does help them during the stress. It doesn't take much either, we feed as a treat during molt season.

 

[Farmer13]

We dried & saved okara from tofu making & mix it with their feed it has a good protein rating.

https://orgprints.org/id/eprint/37898/1/PA030-papi-etal-2020-okara-final.pdf

 

[Sally PB]

We also feed Calf Manna during molts, they love the stuff, but smells like licorice

I LOVE the smell! I have not found out if it tastes like licorice, personally.

 

[DLA]

I feed their eggs to them. Crack them into a shallow dish and let them at it. They love it

I agree, I feed mine their eggs from time to time like that. Sometimes I also scramble them with the shells broken up and included. In addition, got silicon muffin pan which works great to beat up and freeze individual eggs and when it's hot out I sometimes throw out a few of the frozen egg rounds as a treat.

 

[SchwartzLakeFarmNC]

I LOVE the smell! I have not found out if it tastes like licorice, personally.

I do as well, but the wife, not so much. The thing we learned the most is not to freak out when you go in the morning and see all the "red" droppings on the poop board!

 

[thatchickenmama]

I agree, I feed mine their eggs from time to time like that. Sometimes I also scramble them with the shells broken up and included. In addition, got silicon muffin pan which works great to beat up and freeze individual eggs and when it's hot out I sometimes throw out a few of the frozen egg rounds as a treat.

Oh my gosh, what a great idea! We had been giving extra eggs away, which was nice too, but this!! I’ll definitely be trying this. Thank you!

 

[thatchickenmama]

try some plain natural yogurt, and/or sardines.

btw, the 'bully' may be picking feathers because she needs the protein too and has recognized that it is plentiful in them. Give her more protein and she may stop doing it.

What a great idea! This is great advice, thank you! I can definitely get them some sardines! I know they like yogurt too.

 

[thatchickenmama]

Fish. Low fat, high in protein, all the essential amino acids plus some.
Meat is also a complete protein and the right cuts low fat compared to eggs and mealworms.

This is perfect! Ill make sure to grab some fish for them and see if it helps. Thank you!

 

[BDutch]

One of my hens is beginning to molt, but has also been having her wing feathers plucked out by the bully hen. We are getting a kennel to put the bully in rehab, but in the mean time, what do you feed your girls to boost their protein? We have freeze dried mealworms and black soldier fly larvae, and have added sunflower meal a bit to their feed. I also give them scrambled eggs once a week or so, but now we’re running low on eggs. Do we need to consider looking for an organic meat bird feed? Our girls are layers, and they are currently on organic, non-gmo, corn-free, soy-free feed.

Organic chick feed from the mill.
Let them free range for bugs , herbs and grasses about 2 hours each day.
And a few dried mealworms a few times a week.

 

[thatchickenmama]

Organic chick feed from the mill.
Let them free range for bugs , herbs and grasses about 2 hours each day.
And a few dried mealworms a few times a week.

Ooh that’s a great idea. I’ll check and see if the mill sells it, I bet they do. Thank you!