kannie Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Our 2 hens are 4 and a half now, and have stopped laying. I've noticed they both have rather daggy bums, and am wondering if they have sloppy poos because the layers pellets are now too high in protein for them. Should I be feeding them something different now they've stopped laying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 It wouldn't hurt them to go on a good quality growers pellet especially through Winter but they tend to be higher in protein. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 My 3 3/4 year old ex-free range hen has normal layers pellets, as she is in a flock with 4 one year old hens. She normally has some extra corn by herself for an extra treat, and she isnt laying anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Mine will all be going on to growers during their winter break & if I recall I think I put my ex batts onto growers when they stopped laying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 Hmm - thanks. How long before some marketing bod decides to produce a food for older hens: they're around for older dogs and cats, aren't they? Past-laying hens must have completely different nutritional needs. I guess the problem is that often they're in with newbies, or else get put in the pot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Heygates do a 'maintenance' feed which I guess is designed to feed when hens arent laying, that seems a good idea Personally any chook not laying here apart from young chicks go on growers pellets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I currently have my girls on a mix of Garvo Fancy cockerel growers and normal Garvo layers pellets. This is so that we have something for everyone whether they want to moult, lay or just retire. It also helped that the fancy cockerels pellets bag was split and at half price P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I'd put them on growers myself. Older hens often have grotty botties, not sure why Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 all older hens Actually thats rather sad. Does make me think it might be a different dietary need we're neglecting. Poor old grotty botties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 It could be some dietary oversight. I do find, though, that it's linked to their laying performance and it more prevalent in high-yield hens. So perhaps it's more to do with their egg tackle than digestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...