What food is the right food for my chickens?

[mnall]

I'm new at this chicken farming but am enjoying it alot. There are so many different types of chicken food. The 16% protein for layers and 24% protein for growers. Can you give the layers more protein like for growers and get better egg production or do you need to stay with the lower protein? I want happy and healthy chickens. I would love for them to produce lots of eggs though. Can some one give me some insight on what I should feed my lovely layers? Please Help!!!!!!!!

 

[Gonzo]

Stick with the grower until they lay their first egg. Layer has too much calcium in it.

 

[jlapham]

Hello you did not say the age of your chickens? Are they laying now? If so laying feed. Here at the homestead I also raise meal worms they love them, along with their layer feed. My birds for meat get a higher protien for growing, plus the meal worms. You can also give them stuff like apple pealings, carrots shaved.
all my chickens have grit at their disposal, chickens have a crop to help in the digestion of food. Good luck!

 

[Bullwinkle]

Quote:
Hi MNall:

You are right, there are a wide variety of Poultry feeds available.

For layers most feed contains 16 % protein (the 24% you list is likely gamebird starter and not chicken 'grower' which usually is 15% protein).

So should you stick with 16% protein layer feed? I have been feeding 16% Layer, but have begun mixing a higher protein feed with it (while offering calcium on the side) so that their average protein level is around 18%. Once I use up the feed I have now I plan on going with a 20% layer feed.

I have read a lot of folks here at BYC mention the positive effects of a slightly higher protein diet (not 24% though on a permanent basis as I think that would be too high).

So why do almost all the feed companies offer only a 16% Layer feed? I can't say for certain, but my guess is money. Lower protein feeds are cheaper to manufacture, and cost the consumer less to purchase. If they offered a higher protein feed (at a higher price) most customers would go with the cheaper, lower protein feed.

For the farmer who makes his living selling eggs, a few cents saved on each dozen eggs can make a big difference when selling thousands of eggs. For folks raising chickens for hobby, fun, and maybe sell a few dozen eggs per week, I think an extra dollar or so per bag is worth the benefits to the chickens....