What is the best feed

What are yall feeding your laying hens, not sure if I am feeding the right food. What has worked for you.

I have a mixed flock not only turkeys, ducks and chickens but also different ages of chickens (4 months and 2 months) I feed mine flock raiser pellets. They seem to really like it and not as much waste.

Will that work for laying hens

How old are your birds? If they are actively laying you should feed layer crumble or pellet. I think it goes like this. From hatch to 8 weeks feed chick starter. From 8-18 weeks, maybe a little longer if they are slow maturing purebreds feed grower then switch to layer. Mine really like the crumble and when I make a little mash ( add water to it until its like cooked oatmeal) they think its a real treat and increases their food intake.

Not sure how old but I was looking more for brands that people like the most. I got them from the feed store they told me they were laying age and I bought a bag of layer feed that they were feeding now that bag is almost gone I was looking for what brand is the best or that people on here have liked the most.

DuMor is what Tractor Supply sells. They have five formulas, so be sure to find the right one. They are slightly cheaper than Purina (Purina Layena Sunfresh Recipe). I use it right now because I can't find the right formula of Purina around here. I will return to Purina in a month or so. Nothing against DuMor, but Purina layer is available most places, so it is more for convenience reasons I will stick with them.
Long winded, but I hope it helps.

MotorcycleChick said:

DuMor is what Tractor Supply sells. They have five formulas, so be sure to find the right one. They are slightly cheaper than Purina (Purina Layena Sunfresh Recipe). I use it right now because I can't find the right formula of Purina around here. I will return to Purina in a month or so. Nothing against DuMor, but Purina layer is available most places, so it is more for convenience reasons I will stick with them.
Long winded, but I hope it helps.

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Purina makes DuMor.

To the OP:
If your chickens are actually laying, whatever brand you decide on of layer formula. If they are younger, which if they came from a feed store I would suspect they aren't quite laying age yet, a grower/finisher of whatever brand you decide upon. You will need to see what is available at stores within your area, compare labels and content and make your own decision from there. Some people swear by Purina, others think it is the devil's spawn. If you search the threads you will find a lot of information on various brands.

I buy Blue Seal feed for all my animals, chickens are on Blue Seal Grower Cal(soon to be the Blue Seal Layer pellets), turkeys on Blue Seal Turkey/Pheasant Starter Crumbles, and rabbits on Blue Seal Bunny 16. Havent put the dogs on that feed yet but might one day.

chickensnever said:

Not sure how old but I was looking more for brands that people like the most. I got them from the feed store they told me they were laying age and I bought a bag of layer feed that they were feeding now that bag is almost gone I was looking for what brand is the best or that people on here have liked the most.

Click to expand...

I think most brands out there are really pretty good. I like pellets better than crumbles of any brand because they can pick it up when it hits the ground. I have fed Purina Layena and Nutrena pellets. Many of the feed stores stock their own brands that are either made by them or contracted with a large mill to make with their private label. If you ask, the store should tell you who makes their feed. For instance, Bomgaar's feed is made by Nutrena. Buyer beware though, its cheaper per bag but the bag is only 40# where Purina is 50#, so always check the label.

I pretty much stick to my local feed mill's (Ranch-A-Way) feed because they make a 20% protein pellet--its balanced to feed along with scratch, which I sprinkle for the girls. Most other layer pellets are 16%. The pellet is also a little smaller than other brands so I think its easier for the hens to eat.

I would also recommend only getting enough for a month or so, so that it stays fresher and if there is a problem with a batch (which sometimes happens) you don't feed that lot for too long a period of time.

I am also feeding the Ranch-a-way 20% Layer pellets. I have been feeding it for about 5 weeks now and am seeing improvement in my hens.
I have some issues with feathering from some picking that I am working on breaking. With other feeds I was not seeing any new feather growth. With the Ranch-a-way I am seeing feathering recovering and better attitudes out of the ones that were doing most of the picking.
It is IMO a better feed.