What's the purpose for layer feed? Does it produce a harder egg shell?

[cjpines]

I'm confused wondering if my chickens need layer food and if so what's the purpose? Does it make them lay more eggs? Does it only make the shell harder? Does it have anything to do with a better tasting egg? Lot's of questions here.

Also, is it less expensive than starter/grower feed? Any comments before I start buying.

 

[GOLDENSEABRIGHT]

Layer feed helps chickens lay more often. it is best when mixed with scratch fees

 

[Fred's Hens]

Layer feed does not make a female lay eggs. It merely provides a laying bird with a complete dietary formula required as she lays eggs. The calcium needed is ground into the feed for the flock keepers convenience.

Since is a very common feed and likely a top seller for both the feed company and the retailer, is often priced at a price point below other feed formulas.

As for "mixing with scratch" grains, some caution should be observed. Scratch grains are not a complete ration and is typically half the protein of Layer formulas. It is not necessary to add scratch grains at all.

 

[cjpines]

Layer feed does not make a female lay eggs. It merely provides a laying bird with a complete dietary formula required as she lays eggs. The calcium needed is ground into the feed for the flock keepers convenience.

Since is a very common feed and likely a top seller for both the feed company and the retailer, is often priced at a price point below other feed formulas.

As for "mixing with scratch" grains, some caution should be observed. Scratch grains are not a complete ration and is typically half the protein of Layer formulas. It is not necessary to add scratch grains at all.

I didn't know the calcium was ground up in the layer feed for our convenience. So no other calcium they would have to have but in the layer feed. Thank you.

 

[Folly's place]

You will want to offer oyster shell in a separate feeder just in case a hen feels the need to eat it. Scratch grains are treats, NOT balanced feed. Free ranging birds on pasture will usually eat some oyster shell. The basic ration for laying hens can be a flock raiser diet plus oyster shell, or a layer diet, or you can add some game bird layer diet. High egg producing hens are working very hard metabolically, and need really good balanced nutrition. A wild Jungle Fowl hen may lay 20 to 30 eggs per year; our leghorns may lay 300 to 350! Mary

 

[cjpines]

You will want to offer oyster shell in a separate feeder just in case a hen feels the need to eat it. Scratch grains are treats, NOT balanced feed. Free ranging birds on pasture will usually eat some oyster shell. The basic ration for laying hens can be a flock raiser diet plus oyster shell, or a layer diet, or you can add some game bird layer diet. High egg producing hens are working very hard metabolically, and need really good balanced nutrition. A wild Jungle Fowl hen may lay 20 to 30 eggs per year; our leghorns may lay 300 to 350! Mary

We are a backyarad chicken family only wanting 5-8 chickens, I forgot to mention this. So as to your comment as follows:

Okay, offer the 16 weeks oyster shells with there grower feed and keep the 8 weeks on just starter/grower feed for now. My husband said we can separate the 8 wk old during the day forage from the others, but when in the coop they all together. He said they don't eat at night in the coop so we don't have to worry about separate feed at night, but only during the outdoor days. True?

 

[Den in Penn]

Most people with mixed age flocks continue to feed a grower to all the birds until they are all laying. Keeping the oyster shell in a dish on the side for those who are laying. The grower has all they need except for the calcium for egg shells. Using one feed simplifies the whole process, keeping one feed and allowing the flock to stay together.

 

[cjpines]

Most people with mixed age flocks continue to feed a grower to all the birds until they are all laying. Keeping the oyster shell in a dish on the side for those who are laying. The grower has all they need except for the calcium for egg shells. Using one feed simplifies the whole process, keeping one feed and allowing the flock to stay together.

I agree. Now to convince my husband. He believes the poultry man who feeds layer feed starting at age 8 weeks. Hum! everything I've read says no.

 

[KeepOnClucking]

Just make sure to keep the oyster shells separate, as the added calcium is not good for birds that aren't laying. Don't mix it into the feed. The ones that need it will eat it if it is separate.

 

[subhanalah]

I use fermented flock raiser. For all of my birds, hatchlings, chickens and ducks.
I have oyster she'll in a dish next to their feed in their coop, next to the nesting box.
Info on fermented feed. http://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/