Purina feed problem******UPDATE Page 4****** Sunday, 07/11 - Page 6

I stopped using Flock Raiser when I found out they put meds in it. I was really upset, '[cause I WAS trying to raise my chicks organically.  Can't claim that now

Jen

I am having problems with Purina too.  I used to use Kent feeds, but 10 years ago the feedstore I purchased it from switched brands and after several switches ended up selling ADM feeds and I can't stand them.  I started with Purina about 5 years ago and it was a quality product and I noticed my birds layed better, looked better, and the eggs were better quality.  Now they barely lay and the eggs they lay aren't good quality like they used to be.  The feed doesn't even quite look the same to me as it used to.  I am looking to switch but I haven't found anything to switch to and I am considering mixing my own so I can get the exact ingredients I want.  In the long run, I think it would be healthier for my birds and cheaper for me as well.

Just playing devil's advocate here. Could it be possible that most of the hens have stopped laying as much because of the extreme heat we've been having? Also it was my understanding that if u free range , the sun will cause white chickens to yellow.

BWKatz - it has been years since my daughters raised their birds that won many blue ribbons and even some grand champions.  I remember they had to keep their white chickens out of the sun and also were careful not to give them too much corn.  (They even gave baths to their white chickens.)  After the fair, and no more showing, they went out into the sun and scratched at cracked corn.  So, maybe you are right and the yellowing isn't just the feed.  As far as meal worms, even flour that you get for baking gets worms if stored too long.  I think it is a storage problem somewhere along the line.

What meds are you talking about?  I checked the label and don't see any meds listed

I've been feeding Blue Seal since mine arrived.  One thing I like about them is they have an Organic line. That's what I use. I've had very little waste and the chickens seem to love it, and are growing like weeds. I get it at the Blue Seal store. Of course, I do live about 5 minutes from the Blue Seal company headquarters, so I guess it's reasonable that I can find it here.  Never seen it at TSC, tho, only the Blue Seal store and one other farm supply store in the area.

I switched to Purina a few months ago from the other choices the feed stores have (Nutrena and arizona feeds) I find it is LESS dusty and smells better than the others. No eggs yet so don't know about that. My feed is still in paper bags and dated Jun 14 Den 2.

Question- Is over two months to old? and how do I know where the plant is????

This is my first year with chickens and I have been feeding them Blue seal products.... This is what they were on when I got them... Does anyone have any problems with their feed?  My chicks are about 16-17 weeks old and definitely growing and eating every piece
Thanks

I am also not a big fan of Purina. I was feeding Dumor and had pretty good results but then my local TSC stopped carrying it. I switched over to Purina and noticed that is is very dusty, the crumbles are more like powder and break down very easily and the hens just were not enjoying it. I switched to Nutrena and have had way better luck with that. Less waste and I am pretty sure less poop. I also like that they have their own line of Nutrena corn and scratch as well as other grains, makes my feeding area look nicer with the matching bags...Im weird like that though...

Blue Seal makes their own feed at their own mills, as does Kent. The companies merged but the mills stayed separate. Each has their own recipes and have not changed. Both are good feeds, I have fed Blue Seal all my life for the horses, dogs, cats, chickens, goats, cattle, rabbits, etc...... I used to feed one of the Kent dog foods until they got greedy and took the dealership from Blue Seal (who was making the food) last fall. No warning at all, and at the beginning of training season. Suddenly no one could get it around here. Messed up the dogs condition. Then my dealer managed to get it thru another supplier...at 12.00 a bag more expensive! Now he can't get it at all because the supplier will not sell just a few bags. Kent is no help at all. I don't care how good their food is, I refuse to do any business with them now.