what is in Layer feed that

[ladyearth]

I get eggs everyday.. which I dont need.. Id be content to have like several a week from my gals.each... like natural chickens. I dont want them "burned out"
thoughts?
I know I read that hatchery chickens are bred for production,,,
thanks

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Layer feed contains more calcium and usually has 16% protein. It doesn't make chickens lay, it suppose to support a laying hens health while not making her fat. Breed and breeding behind a bird will usually determine laying, the length of her season and how many eggs she lays. There's not much you can do to slow them down. Somethings like free ranging, will make hens lay a bit less than confined hens will. Next time choose ornamental breeds that lay less, or dual purpose that will lay less per week but longer into their lives.

 

[Pork Pie]

I guess the answer would be to choose breeds that are not renown for being good layers and/or ones that go broody often. I have what one may term a "natural chicken", i.e. not commercially bred that lays for around 14-18 days and then goes broody so she takes a break from laying. My other birds lay around 5-6 eggs per week - which is what i want as i sell the eggs to recover some of the costs of their upkeep.

I'm not sure what other members think, but personally, i feel i have a responsibility to ensure that my flock gets sufficient calcium to lay fully formed eggs in order to ensure their health does not suffer.

Just my opinion, for what its worth.
All the best
CT

 

[Chris09]

Quote:

like natural chickens

This is a misunderstanding that a lot of people do not know or understand, there are now wild/ "natural" chickens....
The animal that we know today as a chicken has no wild type. We, humans created the chicken by breeding and hybridizing jungle fowl for our needs.

Nutrition will help you birds lay better and longer, a well balanced diet keeps a bird not only healthy but keeps her laying to a ripe old age.
A lot of my birds are true "heritage" fowl (R.I. Red, Dominique, American Gamefowl) and the rest are hybrids egg layers that I bred myself out of "heritage" stock and I average around 5 to 7 eggs per bird per week.

 

[ladyearth]

there is NOT going to be a next time.. my chicken days will be over when they die or us...
I wanted Dominqers but settled for Barr Rockers....... if DOM were avaIABLE THEY WERE STRAIGHT RUNS only.
my first chicks were st run BR.... a big mistake. only got one girl out of the bunch.... and she has never a real egg layer only practice eggs like less than a dozen... and a few fart eggs in her almost 2 yrs..
.she has been my BABY,my BABY GIRL, even though she not well.SHE IS THE DOMINant hen though....
SO i see no need to buy Layer feed... Why not just grower???? more protein...........Since Have A roo too... All Flock not available in the brand I HAVE BEEN BUYING LATELY..... I leave oyster shell out for them plus occ break up couple of their shells and give it to them....
yes they range 1/2 acre plus
I just know I read that they only have so many eggs inside like women....
thanks all

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Grower is a good choice to feed the whole flock year round, sorry your chicken keeping hasn't turned out for you. Barred rocks are a long lived breed, your hen should be around for a while.