What to feed hens that produce Hatching Eggs?

[Arielle]

As I look back over this hatching season, I would like a better hatching rate.Toward that goal, I have a question about feeding the laying hen. WHat is the appropriate % calcium for a laying turkey hen?

Layer for chickens has 3.5% calcium and turkey grower has about 1.5%

 

[chicken pickin]

Edited to change response as I read the question wrong and dont know the answer.

BTW Im still thinking about the 5 week old poults Ill let you know in a few days. Thanks.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Breeding birds need a high quality balanced diet in order to produce healthy strong eggs.

As for the calcium, I leave out dishes of oyster shell 365 days a year. The hens will eat it if they need it. You can judge the calcium in the diet by the quality of the shells. If shells are not thick and hard, the diet is low on calcium and maybe low on vitamin d as well. Or else the calcium phosphorus ratio is off. If eggs all have thick hard shells, then the birds are getting sufficient calcium.

Grower is probably too low on calcium for laying. Especially if that is chicken grower and not turkey grower. It takes a lot of calcium to build all those egg shells. By letting the birds eat what they want, they will balance their intake for you.

During laying seasons, my birds eat oyster shell like it is candy. Fortunately, it is really cheap to buy.

 

[Arielle]

One of my concerns was that the eggs seem harder than I expected . When I crack them for breakfast I relly need to give a hard whack, or a second whack to get it open. Wondering if a shell can be too thick for a poult to hatch.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

One of my concerns was that the eggs seem harder than I expected . When I crack them for breakfast I relly need to give a hard whack, or a second whack to get it open. Wondering if a shell can be too thick for a poult to hatch.

Ah, but a poult that would hatch from it be strong and healthy whereas the weaker ones would be filtered out as soon as hatching day came

Not sure if a shell can be too thick, however it seems like they wouldn't be able too

 

[Arielle]

Maybe I need to rephrase mt question.


If a chicken layer is given a lower calcium diet (breeder diet) than a layer for eggs, would this be applicable to turkey hens??

 

[chicken pickin]

Im not sure about the calcium need for turkeys or what the calcium is in the different stages of feed for turkeys But I do know that Blue Seal sells Breeder Pellets

It says it is specifically designed poultry feed to promote egg production and optimum hatchability and higher chick survival rate in the breeding flock, when fed as the only ration. Breeder Pels are recommended for ducks, geeses, turkeys, and exotics as well as chickens.

 

[Arielle]

THank you. I will check their web site for specifics!