What to feed future breeders

[3 NH reds]

I have 3 Red Ranger hens that are 12 weeks old. I plan to breed them as soon as they lay the 1st eggs. should I feed layer food or stay with grower feed?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have not done the Red Rangers, but if you plan to breed them for the eggs, I'd stick with Grower until they start to lay, then switch to Layer. They will eventually need the extra calcium for the egg shells when they start laying but they should not have the extra calcium until they need it for egg shells.

There have been some threads on here about trying to breed the Freedom Rangers, which I think is the same as your Red Rangers. Most of them have been disappointed with the results because they seem to develop health problems and don't live real long.

You do not want to overfeed them. They are not like regular dual purpose chickens that sort of welf-regulate what they eat. They can over eat enough to hurt themselves.

As I said, I have not raised them. Hopefully someone that has raised them and tried to breed them will chime in. But if I were you and it was available, I'd probably switch from what is probably 16% Grower to a 15% Finisher/Developer to help keep from overfeeding them. When they start laying, just provide oyster shell on the side for the extra calcium they need.

Good luck!