Are breeder pellets necessary?

[GoldpartridgeHen]

Hello,

I will be incubating in a few days and have just realised i have been feeding the chickens on layers pellets
I know that breeder pellets are supposed to be used for hatching fertile eggs, but it is absolutely vital and will it have a negative effect on the eggs if I don't use them?

Thanks for any help

 

[BDutch]

Yes you need special feed for chicks. There is way too much Calcium in layer feed. And not enough proteins. You’re chicks can get kidney problems if you feed them layer feed.

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

Yes you need special feed for chicks. There is way too much Calcium in layer feed. And not enough proteins. You’re chicks can get kidney problems if you feed them layer feed.

ok...
thanks for the confirmation

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

I would still like to continue with the hatch as i have 6 buff sussex eggs come through the post...
i will remove all grit from the run to reduce calcium intake but what other things can i feed them that has little or no calcium, and more proteins...

I've heard grass has all the vitamins needed except D, and insects, slugs, snails, etc. have a lot of protein...

should i let them free-range more to reduce the amount of layers pellets they eat?

 

[Ted_Harrell]

If you are talking about the hens laying the eggs then layer feed is fine, the baby chicks are the ones that need starter feed. I have never heard of breeder pellets, unless it refers to a higher protein content when you want to gather hatching eggs from them. Maybe others can answer this...

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

If you are talking about the hens laying the eggs then layer feed is fine, the baby chicks are the ones that need starter feed. I have never heard of breeder pellets, unless it refers to a higher protein content when you want to gather hatching eggs from them. Maybe others can answer this...

yes, that's right
i feed layers pellets to the hens that lay the fertile eggs...
i'm trying to increase their protein intake by feeding them cooked eggs and insects such as worms, etc.
they no longer have access to the grit, because i already have too much calcium in the feed...

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Grit doesn't have calcium, all birds need grit to "chew" their food. Never take grit away.

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

Grit doesn't have calcium, all birds need grit to "chew" their food. Never take grit away.

Sorry, i forgot to mention this grit is oystershell grit, not the soluble grit used to help digest food.
oystershell grit are supposed to have a lot of calcium in it, because egg shells are mainly made up calcium...

 

[BDutch]

Hello,

I will be incubating in a few days and have just realised i have been feeding the chickens on layers pellets
I know that breeder pellets are supposed to be used for hatching fertile eggs, but it is absolutely vital and will it have a negative effect on the eggs if I don't use them?

Thanks for any help

Sorry for my previous reaction. I obvious didn’t read it right. I thought it was about feeding chicks.
To feed normal feed for laying hens is no problem. The feed for fertilised eggs is just a little better quality feed for a little better outcome.

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

Sorry for my previous reaction. I obvious didn’t read it right. I thought it was about feeding chicks.
To feed normal feed for laying hens is no problem. The feed for fertilised eggs is just a little better quality feed for a little better outcome.

ok, thanks!