Rural/Farm Life

fasttense

(17,301 posts)

11. Be careful about the extra protein

Wed Jul 31, 2013, 07:11 AM

Jul 2013

We had our free range hens on a locally produced layer feed, which turned out to be high in protein. After we introduced the new local feed, our hens were laying fine for about a month and then they almost stopped laying. When we went back to the older feed, lower in protein, they rapidly increased their laying. Too much protein can also decrease egg production. Our hens are free range and get a lot of protein from the bugs, worms and slugs they eat. I think the added protein in their feed pushed them to the too much protein level.

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Any idea why our chickens are only laying one egg when we usually got 9-10. We think it is the [View all] jwirr Jul 2013 OP

are they free range? Kali Jul 2013 #1

I'd bet first on the heat... hlthe2b Jul 2013 #2

mine are misbehaving also. mopinko Jul 2013 #3

Going thru molt reduces eggs dixiegrrrrl Jul 2013 #4

Our chickens are free range but they are in a fenced area as we live in the woods. We have 12 jwirr Jul 2013 #5

What part of the country do you live in? bvar22 Jul 2013 #6

We live in NE MN. The chickens are confined at night in a storage size shed but have access to jwirr Jul 2013 #7

Love the Arrowhead. bvar22 Jul 2013 #8

Here in the South, almost all free range chickens reduce their laying during the heat of summer. fasttense Jul 2013 #9

I give them protein womanofthehills Jul 2013 #10

Be careful about the extra protein fasttense Jul 2013 #11

Cool Chicks HealUS Dec 2013 #12