what to feed non-laying hens

[hansolo]

Good story. Thanks!
I was thinking to make a soup when they are no longer productive before we had them.
Now that actually raising them, I am not sure how that is going to happen.

 

[smokeykk]

Quote:
They usually stop from age 3-4

You could make

soup.... or just keep them till they die....then start a new flock with chicks!!

 

[Judy]

I have read before that layer, while often fed to roosters, is not the best food for them. And roosters seem to not live as long as hens. Of course lots are lost defending their girls, but personally I suspect that masks underlying damage being done by the extra calcium to their organs. People who raise roosters in separate areas don't feed them layer, they feed a higher protein general purpose feed like flock raiser or (I think) even game bird feed. So it stands to reason that an old hen who has finished laying is nto going to need as much calcium as layers.

I have no research to back this up -- it is just my thoughts. I don't even feed my layers layer because the protein seems low to me and I have young chicks in with them. I just offer oyster shell and it would seem the ones who need it eat it, as my egg shells have been fine.

 

[Chullicken]

Personally, I prefer the Layer "Pellets" (the sparrows don't eat as much of it). You might also add some dried hot red pepper flakes to the feed to stimulate laying. (the kind of pepper flakes that you sprinkle on Pizza)

-Junkmanme-

'Retired'.....

 

[centrarchid]

I treat hens not in lay like roosters. The protein level is generally kept around 14%, but is increased to 18 to 20% when the heavy part of molt gets underway.