Looking for Passover feed recipe for Layers

[farmdreamer18]

Hi, I have 5 beautiful Wyandottes that are layers (8 months old). We are approaching Passover and I am looking for a feed recipe that would not compromise my hens nutritional needs. I see there are a lot of calculators to figure out the nutrition.. but it all looks a bit daunting to know what is the appropriate amount of each ingredient so my sweet girlies won't get stressed.
From what I've seen so far, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, lentils, corn, peas and fishmeal are foods that I have seen that I would be comfortable giving them (we don't do soy in our house).
In addition to their feed, I give them vegetable scraps around 1 pm, with an occasional greek yogurt on top, mealworms mid morning and an omega mix mid afternoon that I will continue giving them during passover.

I feel like I am running out of time to get it all together. Would love the input of this fabulous group!
Thank you!
Farm Dreamer

 

[charlie1051]

Do the chickens practice Passover with you, is that why an "altered" feed plan is required? I am honestly interested, not being sarcastic.

 

[farmdreamer18]

Do the chickens practice Passover with you, is that why an "altered" feed plan is required? I am honestly interested, not being sarcastic.

The hens are our pets. Within the orthodox way of practicing Judaism I am not allowed to eat, derive benefit, or have in my possession certain grains (wheat, barley, spelt, rye, oats) during the week of passover. So If I would have their feed and give that to them, that would be having possession and deriving benefit because my hens make me happy and they also make eggs, which I would also benefit from.

 

[townchicks]

What if you had a large feeder that would last a week? Then you would not have to handle it.

 

[kalsea]

A few thoughts!

It might be worth exploring fermenting their feed just to unlock all the nutrients of the flax seeds, sunflower seeds, lentils, corn, & peas.

Make sure to input your ratios into a macro tracker to ensure at least 16% protein, though I prefer 20% for my own flock.

1 week certainly isn't going to create nutritional deficiencies that will effect them too much. Just make sure they have access to calcium if they are laying.

Overall it sounds like you have found a really good solution to providing them nutrients during passover!

 

[charlie1051]

The hens are our pets. Within the orthodox way of practicing Judaism I am not allowed to eat, derive benefit, or have in my possession certain grains (wheat, barley, spelt, rye, oats) during the week of passover. So If I would have their feed and give that to them, that would be having possession and deriving benefit because my hens make me happy and they also make eggs, which I would also benefit from.

Thanks, that's great!

 

[farmdreamer18]

What if you had a large feeder that would last a week? Then you would not have to handle it.

That would be great, but I bring there feed in every night so other animals won't get curious. We have opossum, skunks and raccoons on occasion.

 

[farmdreamer18]

A few thoughts!

It might be worth exploring fermenting their feed just to unlock all the nutrients of the flax seeds, sunflower seeds, lentils, corn, & peas.

Make sure to input your ratios into a macro tracker to ensure at least 16% protein, though I prefer 20% for my own flock.

1 week certainly isn't going to create nutritional deficiencies that will effect them too much. Just make sure they have access to calcium if they are laying.

Overall it sounds like you have found a really good solution to providing them nutrients during passover!

I love your idea about fermenting!
I currently sprout lentils and broccoli seeds and add that to their 1 o'clock meal.
When you refer to a macro tracker, is there one for chickens? or do I use a human one like Cronometer?

Any suggestions on what ratio of each?

 

[kalsea]

I love your idea about fermenting!
I currently sprout lentils and broccoli seeds and add that to their 1 o'clock meal.
When you refer to a macro tracker, is there one for chickens? or do I use a human one like Cronometer?

Any suggestions on what ratio of each?

When I wasn't able to get feed during the pandemic, I used a human tracker (maybe my fitness pal? Lol) and changed my recipe until the macros looked similar to the bagged food. I do not have a specific recipe though. But again, I feel like you are doing so many other things that for the short duration of Pesach they will be totally happy and healthy!

I'm linking a conversation thread from several years ago- I haven't read all of the 8 pages but maybe there's something helpful in here as well!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-to-feed-chickens-during-pesach-passover.1163179/

 

[farmdreamer18]

When I wasn't able to get feed during the pandemic, I used a human tracker (maybe my fitness pal? Lol) and changed my recipe until the macros looked similar to the bagged food. I do not have a specific recipe though. But again, I feel like you are doing so many other things that for the short duration of Pesach they will be totally happy and healthy!

I'm linking a conversation thread from several years ago- I haven't read all of the 8 pages but maybe there's something helpful in here as well!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-to-feed-chickens-during-pesach-passover.1163179/

Thank you so much for the encouragement!
I never had pets before so this is my first time figuring this out. I will use my tracker app (such a great idea!) with the ingredients I listed earlier and I will shoot for the same nutrients in the Cluck & Co Organic Layer Blend that they have now. I'll continue sprouting and they also have their oyster shells for calcium.
I really appreciate your responses!