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Best feed and where to buy it?

post #1 of 14
Thread Starter 

Hello yall. I would like to know what is the best food for my new trio that I am getting? I do plan on breeding and only want the best for them. Teach me the ways please.

 

Thanks!!

post #2 of 14

If there day old Chicks I would out them on a Med Starter Crumble, then at about 8 Weeks or so I would put them on a Grower Pellet or a Flock Rasier either or. When they start to lay I would put them on  a Layer Pellet.

 

As far as what brand feed, it depends on what is in your area, I would try to find Blue Seal if I was you if you wanted a Name Brand food or I would find a local Feed Mill and try out there house brand.

 

Really need more info when you post so we are not guessing. Good Luck.
 

2 Ameraucana Rooster, 2 Rhode Island Red Hens
2 Barred Rocks Hens, 2 Partridge Rocks Hens.
2 Black Australorp.2 Black Sex-Links Hens.
8 Easter Egg Hens, 5 Ameraucanas .
1 Blue Cochin,2 SL Wyandottes,2 GL Wyandotte.
1 White Leghorn, 1 Speckled Sussex
2 Guinea Hens Royal Purples.
3 Peacocks India Blue,Black Shoulder,Silver Pied 1 Jade Spalding & BS Peahen
2 Royal Palm Turkeys
2 Rottweilers,1 Male...

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2 Ameraucana Rooster, 2 Rhode Island Red Hens
2 Barred Rocks Hens, 2 Partridge Rocks Hens.
2 Black Australorp.2 Black Sex-Links Hens.
8 Easter Egg Hens, 5 Ameraucanas .
1 Blue Cochin,2 SL Wyandottes,2 GL Wyandotte.
1 White Leghorn, 1 Speckled Sussex
2 Guinea Hens Royal Purples.
3 Peacocks India Blue,Black Shoulder,Silver Pied 1 Jade Spalding & BS Peahen
2 Royal Palm Turkeys
2 Rottweilers,1 Male...

Reply
post #3 of 14

Exactly what Joe.G said. If there chicks then feed them med. chick starter for the first week. If there over 8 weeks and not laying then feed them grower intil they ALL start to lay. If they're laying and your just wondering if breeding them takes any different diets then no they need nothing special compared to production chickens.

happy dad of a GSP and a BLRW and FBCM  and a WL and a BR and a BA and a SS and an EE and a GLC 

 

 

 

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happy dad of a GSP and a BLRW and FBCM  and a WL and a BR and a BA and a SS and an EE and a GLC 

 

 

 

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post #4 of 14
Thread Starter 

Ok great! Thank you for yalls help. They are 6 months old right now.

post #5 of 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by GameCockRookie View Post

Ok great! Thank you for yalls help. They are 6 months old right now.


So they are must all be laying?

 

Read the labels. Make sure the feed is high in protein and contains calcium or you can supplement calcium on the side.  I have been advised not to feed corn in warm weather as it builds fat so chose a feed with no corn or soy.

 

We are still waiting for three of our six pullets to start laying but got a bag of "Cascade Organic Layer Mash 16% protein  It's 60% crab and fish meal.  When I opened the tub I saw that it is ground pretty fine and I think there will be more waste than with a crumble so I might not buy it again.

post #6 of 14
Thread Starter 
Just got word that one has started laying. I would like to know. Is there such thing as a meatless feed? Might be a stupid question but hey im new to this so it will be a lot more to come. Lol
post #7 of 14

Hi there,

 

There are plenty of all-vegetarian commercial feeds made, for instance Purina Layena.  There are also brands of feed that use fish meal as a protein source, and many old-timey chicken keepers swear by this.  I guess it comes down to personal choice and what is available in your area.  

 

I love the Cascade Organic Layer mash (as mentioned in the previous post), but can't afford to feed it exclusively to my flock of 40.  So I mix up a quart of it just moistened with water or milk and feed it as their "treat" morning and night, instead of scratch.  They love and devour it!

post #8 of 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by GameCockRookie View Post

Just got word that one has started laying. I would like to know. Is there such thing as a meatless feed? Might be a stupid question but hey im new to this so it will be a lot more to come. Lol

Why would you want to feed them a vegetarian feed? Chickens are defiantly omnivores and benefit from animal fats. 

 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

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 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

Reply
post #9 of 14
We have a local farmer that grinds his own feed from corn peas and other things he grows. My chickens love it I also don't use any chemicals in my yard and they love my weeds. I would look online or ask around you might be able to find your own local farmer.
post #10 of 14

I agree that chickens benefit from animal protein but its so hard to figure out the source in commercial feeds so due to safety concerns I wouldn't feed my hens anything imported from China. Right now we are using a locally sourced feed that is mostly fish crab and shrimp meal but at this point my hens seem to prefer the bugs and weeds they find around the yard.
 

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