What is the best food for rescued chickens, especially the "egg-laying" hens?
Question: What is the best food for rescued chickens, especially the "egg-laying" hens? I am concerned about making sure that the hens, especially the debeaked hens who have a harder time eating, are getting a balanced diet; hence, I've been feeding them and all the birds here laying pellets, because each pellet is said to represent balanced nutrition, and because our two vets here recommended the pellets for complete nutrition. However, I do not like purchasing feed with animal products in it, which the laying pellets include. Also, I became concerned that the laying pellets were overstimulating the hens to produce more eggs--the last thing their bodies need.
Answer from Lorri Bauston at Farm Sanctuary - www.farmsanctuary.org
We have had similar concerns regarding the correct feed for "laying" hens--and what we have found was exactly what you thought--the commercial 'layer' feed DOES promote egg laying, which is the last thing the 'girls' need since they already are prone to prolapses, etc from excessive egg production. soooo, this is what we do---
GRADUALLY switch them from layer mash (or pellets) to scratch, (only cracked corn, never whole corn) and add: black oiled sunflower seeds, kelp, and feed lime. If you have problems with soft eggs, you may need to increase lime, but generally we add about 1 cup feed lime and 1/2 cup sea kelp to 1/2 five-gallon bucket of scratch.
When the birds first come, this must be done gradully. We start on mash, then 2 weeks later add about 10% scratch mix, in 2 more weeks increase scratch to 20% etc. until you are sure all birds are eating scratch well and no weight loss. We do monthly health checks to make sure all are doing well, no weight loss, etc. and health checks are particularly important when switching feed.
We have been doing this for years and have not had any problems. we do not recommend keeping chickens on layer mash, but of course, switching must always be done gradually. With over 1,000 'layer' type chickens, we now have LOTS of eggs, so we are also hardboiling all eggs daily, mashing and feeding to the girls daily. In the past however, we have not had many eggs and still have had no problems.
If you can't find sea kelp at local feed store, you can order thru mail at: Ohio Earth Food, Ph: 330-877-9356.
United Poultry Concerns, Inc.PO Box 150
Machipongo, VA 23405-0150
(757) 678-7875
FAX: (757) 678-5070
www.upc-online.org
(What is the best food for rescued chickens,
especially the "egg-laying" hens?)