The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Ben94 on May 29, 2017, 08:07:01 pm

Title: Feeding barley
Post by: Ben94 on May 29, 2017, 08:07:01 pm

Does anyone have any info on feeding barley to laying hens. I put it through a hammer mill as I believe hens don't get any benefit for whole barley.

Anyone Experaniced any loss in production?

Title: Re: Feeding barley
Post by: Dave C on May 30, 2017, 11:43:20 am

No expert but my understanding is not to feed purely barley as it is low in protein and will effect egg production.
If mine go off lay in the winter I feed a lot of wheat just because I can get my hands on it cheap.

You could try a mixture of say 3rd barley, 3rd wheat, 3rd layers and see how they go.

Title: Re: Feeding barley
Post by: twizzel on June 05, 2017, 08:02:06 am

If my hens have barley during the laying season I notice a drop in egg production. Only feed a small handful as a treat now, but in winter feed it 50:50 to bulk out layers pellets and keep a bit more condition on the birds.

Title: Re: Feeding barley
Post by: F.CUTHBERT on June 15, 2017, 04:16:35 pm

I feed barley all the time as i have plenty of it and it's cheap but you will get twice the amount of eggs feeding layers pellets.