What food is best for laying

[chikenkid19]

I'm just trying to figure out what food is best to feed my red star hens for them to produce the most eggs. Right now they are on young chicken feed mix

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Availability of chicken feed varies widely across the country. Except for the national brands such as Purina and Nutrena the brands available to me here in Florida may not be available to you where you are at. You'll have to survey your local offerings to see what you can get. Generally speaking though go with a commercially made layer feed. Eventually you'll find one brand you like more than others. If you are really at a loss start with Purina Layena and go from there.

 

[cmom]

I'm just trying to figure out what food is best to feed my red star hens for them to produce the most eggs. Right now they are on young chicken feed mix

I agree with Alan. ADM makes a feed Pen Pals Egg Maker Complete which I think is a good feed. I use a different brand because it is not available very close to me. I can get it but it is quite a drive. I was using ADM Advantage Poultry Pellets 22% but had the same problem. That is only sold in the south and is a special order from the places I can buy it, but they are not close to me either, so it's quite a drive and many times the feed stores that carry it would be out, so I buy my feed locally at a feed store less than a mile from my home.

 

[cluckiemama]

Our local feed store recommended "Poulin grain - layer" once they graduated out of the chick food. They love it and we get lots of eggs! I also give them treats daily- they love banana, bread, kernels of corn, pasta, watermelon & cantaloupe. It's great fun!

 

[cluck13]

From my experience ensure that your chickens have a good supply of food & clean water (keep an eye on the feeders especially if the younger ones in your household are responsible for feeding). Layer pellets + scraps from your kitchen, with some ceral grains & a source of calcium + green pick

 

[upthecreek]

From my experience ensure that your chickens have a good supply of food & clean water (keep an eye on the feeders especially if the younger ones in your household are responsible for feeding). Layer pellets + scraps from your kitchen, with some ceral grains & a source of calcium + green pick

Some feed companies will tell you the truth about chicken layer feed (layer pellets etc) that it only has enough nutrition to keep chicken alive it's first year or two at the minimum same for eggs and that's it . Nothing for extended vitality , nothing for rich plumage , nothing for quality of life , nothing for longevity ............ i beginning to think that's what some want .

Shannon

 

[barkinghills]

Some feed companies will tell you the truth about chicken layer feed (layer pellets etc) that it only has enough nutrition to keep chicken alive it's first year or two at the minimum same for eggs and that's it . Nothing for extended vitality , nothing for rich plumage , nothing for quality of life , nothing for longevity ............ i beginning to think that's what some want .

Shannon

Is there a feed you recommend then? It is so depressing to read that. I supplement a lot with fermented whole grain, free-range on an acre, added greens etc and my 2-3 year olds are in absolutely gorgeous condition, but I am always looking for feed suggestions.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Some feed companies will tell you the truth about chicken layer feed (layer pellets etc) that it only has enough nutrition to keep chicken alive it's first year or two at  the minimum same for eggs and that's it . Nothing for extended vitality , nothing for rich plumage ,  nothing for quality of life , nothing for longevity ............  i beginning to think that's what some want .

Shannon

Animal feed is generally labeled and sold by the function it is supposed to do. Layer feed is just that - promotes egg production in laying hens. It is formulated, labeled, and priced to do just that. I have hens that are as much as eight years old that have never eaten anything but layer feed since they were old enough to no longer need chick starter.

If your local brands of layer feed do not live up to your expectations then move up to breeder rations. I use gamebird breeder myself. Every winter about a month before I want to start collecting hatching eggs. It makes a noticeable difference in the hatch rate and vigor of the chicks. Once breeding season is over the girls go back to their regular feed. Layer rations typically run in the 15-16% protein range. Gamebird breeder typically runs about 20% and is usually of a higher quality.

Of course there is a catch. Gamebird breeder often runs several dollars a bag more expensive than layer feed.

You get what you pay for.

 

[cmom]

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[upthecreek]

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The function by which it is labeled generally creates a labeled price formulated for minimum life and production . One that says they use Only layer feed for eight years yet also says they use gamebird breeder is confutative .
When money becomes a problem you are probably not getting what you pay for . Chickens are a phenomenon ... can survive on corncobs & soybean hulls if need be and any scientifically formulated floor sweepings generally labeled and priced .
Confucianist say big words create mental illusions and political candidates and big vocabularies .