What % protein for layers is the best?

[nuttyredhead]

I have 8 month old layers 15, and 1 roo. I have a nasty feather picker in my group and have heard it could be a lack of protein? They are eating Blue Seal Layer pellets 16% protein. They get a cup of scratch daily also.

 

[HEChicken]

The 16% *should* be fine, but if you are also feeding scratch, they may be eating too much of that and not enough of the pellets, therefore not getting enough protein. I would cut out the scratch altogether for awhile - it should only be used as a treat anyway.

If you do want to up the protein, you might consider for your next back of feed, getting a grower formula that is a little higher in protein, and supplementing with oyster shell on the side, since the grower doesn't have enough calcium for laying hens.

 

[off-grid hen]

As far as what protein % is best, you're going to get answers all over the map on that one. But I feed blue seal egg maker crumbles, which is 18% protein I think. It felt right to give them something higher than 16% after reading so many threads about this subject here at BYC. I don't know if it's right or not, and we'll see if I need to change the rations for different times of the year/molt, etc.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

The others have given good advice, but I also wanted to mention that there are pinless peepers available for feather pickers (blinders) at I think eggcartons.com....or one of those sites, and they sometimes work for people.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Try a higher percentage on your next bag. You may find that the higher protein of say, 18%, along with the scratch, is just right for you. Scratch does indeed lower the nutritional protein average, but a cup divided among a dozen hens isn't likely to cause much of an issue.

Simply increasing protein doesn't solve all behavior problems, of course. Feather picking can be simply neurosis, boredom, crowding, etc.

 

[Chris09]

Have you dusted for mites and lice?
If not, you could try dusting them and then give them a 18% protein feed. Also try to get a feed that has animal protein in it, the lack of a animal protein in there diet could also course feather picking/eating.

Chris