Margalot Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Hi, I have Brahma hens and was wondering if it was worth changing their feed over the winter period? I know that show birds are out onto a wheat diet to help with bringing into a moult at around the end of summer? Is it worth doing the same with pure breeds to help them fatten up a bit and concentrate on getting their new feathers rather than leaving them on layers pellets all year round even when they stop laying? Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I use layers pellets all year round. I just add poultry spice when they are in moult Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Same here. Layers pellets contain everything they need to stay healthy. You could supplement their diet with some mixed corn? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 yup Christian thats what I do...free access to layers pellets all day and extra corn in the evening before they go to bed to give them something warm in their stomachs overnight...in the morning they get a LITTLE bread soaked in warm water and poultry spice on cold mornings..(yes I know its spoiling them but who cares!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Layers pellets all year around too here. Although when they are moulting I do supplement with mealworms, tuna in springwater and growers pellets for the extra protein. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 same as spacechick, tho poultry spice instead of growers pellets, and supplements on an ad hoc (ie when I remember) basis rather than with any plan... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rhode Island Red Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I feed mine 75% layers pellets mixed with 25% mixed corn all year round, then feeding it 50-50 at winter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Show birds are sometimes fed a wheat diet to make them stop laying or delay the onset of laying as most show females are at perfect peak condition just before they lay their first egg, the lack of nutrients in that sort of diet may also cause a 'force moult' in an older bird so its ready for a show season, its also a way of saving money over the winter when the hens arent laying. Its not really a good diet for the average pet chook though I have to say though I do vary the diet of my lot, I feed layers or breeders pellets to birds in their second year but growers pellets to all of the others and last winter I moved them all on to growers pellets and have to say they all kept fantastic condition, I will do the same this year but then I show, I'd say that diet during the winter would be beneficial to a pet chook too though as it has slightly higher protein and less calcium but certainly a diet of layers of winter will do them no harm either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Mine are all pure breeds and when they moult in the winter I move them onto growers feed to stop them laying (they have usually stopped by that time anyway) so that all their resources can go into growing new feathers, I also add Life-Guard to the water. I put them back on layers feed at the beginning of January when they would be coming back into lay. Seems to work fine for my girls and they are all in good condition, even the two 6 year olds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
