best brand of chicken feed?

[junebug7334]

I am also switching back to Country Side Natural. The purina is crap. Full of soy, etc. I live pretty close to Fishersville Va so we are fortunate!

 

[petunias212]

That's all I see around here is that Purina stuff - so we drive quite a bit to get to the tractor and feed supply store and get the Layena but now with everyone posting about Kent, I'm going to see who around us carries that as I want to give my girls the very best....

 

[livin-green]

Okay, I've just actually read through all 10 pages here....phew!

That's a lot of info!

Here's my story: I started out with Southern States brand feed, which is an "all grain poultry layer/breeder" feed. It states that it is a complete vegetarian formulated feed, and it does not list "soy" specifically.

After some problems with a Marans rooster, it was mentioned by a friend that she found that breed seems to need higher protein. She suggested what she uses ~ Purina Flock Raiser. I bought that for a while, but when it got up to $15/50lb bag, I went back to Southern States again. After a new discussion on feed among local chicken keepers, it was pointed out that although the Purina cost more, it seemed to be more filling and stretch further. I went back to Purina again.

However, I am now slightly concerned with the amount of soy that seems to be in Purina and the fact that it lists "ruminant meat & bone meal free". First, I think the key to good nutrition for not only ourselves but also the chickens is diversity in the diet. If the feed is primarily soy, then that just doesn't seem good. It also occurred to me that maybe the reason that it stretches further is because it has more soy filler in it...?? Secondly, I also have to wonder--why specify no "ruminant" meat/meal? Does that mean that it includes chicken, like someone else said, or possibly pork?? Ruminating animals include most farm type animals other than poultry or swine. I guess I'm a pessimist when it comes to trusting big business ~ my gut says that if they specify no "ruminant", then that means it has everything else in there.

As far as "animal protein" in my chickens' feed, I'm all for it ~ IF I thought they were using "quality" animal product rather than all the garbage that gets shoveled out when they're done. My chickens can't free range (too many predators), but they have a large run where they can search for any bugs that happen that way. However, I clearly see that they would be lacking in "insect protein", so what would you all suggest for a way to supplement if I use the 16% So. States feed with no animal by-product? I do throw-out scratch one or twice a day that has BOSS in it.

Lastly, HLAC, I have the Purina "Flock Raiser" tag and it does list DL-methionine (11th on the list). I think I have to agree--I'd rather "real" amino acids than synthetic ones. I think we consume far too much synthetic garbage and GM stuff already.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
This is more of a comment than real contribution. I am in Sponge mode right now trying to absorb as much as I can before I start my next flock. I have been reading alot of various threads. including a partial organic approach.... not vegetarian just organic. I am intrigued about adding milk products like cottage cheese, yogurt, and kiefer mainly because of the natural organisms growing in them. There is quite a lot of protien in there. As well as adding sprouted seed/grain growing things are loaded with aminos. It never occured to me until I read it here that you can feed meat as well .... a picture of a chicken running through the chicken coop with a fried chicken leg in its beak is still haunting me....

I have had horses for more than 40 years and KNOW the benefits of a quality food program and also know the simpler the better with regard to trying to track down dietary issues. They too have a cecum that performes most of their digestion. We feed horses Yogurt too. though it has to be disguised... LOL. The nice thing about yogurt is you only have to buy one good live culture and you can make your own from there on. Same goes for Kiefer... I believe you can buy starters too.

I am hoping to find a good foundation over the counter product to feed my flock as their foundation food then supplementing with home organic products like yogurt, cottage cheese, and kiefer as well as sprouts and my own home raised meal worms. I cant free range them without supervision so I have to provide protiens similar to what they would find out in the brush. The only problem I can see with this is how to quantify the amount of nutrition you are providing. Or maybe it doesnt matter. What ever they can scratch up in the field would vary from day to day.

So here I sit and read ... and digest .... (no pun intended) and learn...

and giggle now and then....

 

[ChickenAl]

If ever there was a subject that is confusing and full of differing options and opinions, this is it. After reading 15 pages of this thread I am still not certain what to feed my ladies when we make the switch to layer feed. I definitely want to stay organic, as we are now, but the controversy over soy, fish meal, field peas not being tasty enough, and all the other ingredients, has my head spinning.

Soy is in many organic feeds. It is the main ingredient to get the protein up to proper levels. Many people have issues with soy, and simply don't want it in their feed. Fish meal has its proponents and its detractors. Some say it is great, and others worry about where the fish comes from, and that there are no truly organic fish to make meal from. Then there is the issue of the fish meal going rancid.

Also, there is the issue of where to find the feed. Trying to buy local can be a challenge for some of us. Shipping in the feed has cost factors involved too. And, after reading enough articles on making your own feed, it seems to be not too cost effective and a real problem getting the protein and other nutrient levels right.

Commercial feed has many problems too. If you want to go commercial for the convenience of finding it, you have to be willing to sacrifice staying non-GMO. And how many do I read love Purina Layena, and how many say it is horrible? Same with many other commercial brands.

I am clueless as to what is the "best" brand of chicken feed, as the title of this thread says. i use Green Mountain organics right now, and I am wondering if the soy in it is a good or bad thing to have. At times I feel like I want to throw the whole organic thing over the wall and buy a commercial brand simply because it is made by a larger company who must be in a position to hire nutritional experts to make sure their feed is properly balanced and has all the necessary nutrients for healthy chickens. But then I get back to the GMO, pesticide, and where were those grains and ingredients sourced. Try reading a Purina label and tell me what and where those plant based items come from. And what plant grains are they? i did not see any revealed on the label.

Okay, I'm done ranting. I simply want an easy answer to what would work, is safe, and brings all the necessary healthy ingredients in one package. Right now we try to feed the girls better than we do ourselves. At least we think we do. Finding the best feed that meets ours and the chicken's requirements should be so much easier than this.

 

[steve&kris]

perchie.girl :

steve&kris :

Quote:
tommboy, thanks for the info! where do you feel for the crop to see that it is full, but soft and squishy? Is it down around their belly or up in the chest? Is this something I should be checking regularly or just if a chicken seems to not be doing well?

thanks!

The crop when its full should show a lump on the side of their neck down low. That's where they store the food they gather during the day. it moves from there to the gizzard where it gets ground up. I found a link to a diagram.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=510715

Look down to post number 4 has a great diagram.

Thanks! that was incredibly helpful. Great to know info!​

 

[cubalaya]

i don't know why you would switch to a lesser feed but if it works for you , go ahead. southern states is better than purina.

 

[cubalaya]

i am not convinced. my chickens wouldn't even eat it after a week. see the red comb on my cubalaya cock. that is southern states red.

 

[cjpines]

Look at the Kent Feeds website; their dealers carry Blue Seal feeds, which include some that don't have GMOs.

I personally have never had a problem with Purina; it was one of the brands recommended by the avian specialist veterinarian.

Well, of course any feed store or vet will maybe recommend Purina. My cats eat Purina wet food, darn. Have tried others. I buy the best dry food, not Purina.

Our local feed store put on a free clinic for people who want to raise chickens. Found out it was Purina that was putting on the seminar. So, the only thing we got out of it was video's from Purina.
We left and bought non GMO from our local poultry farm.

 

[WhiteLeghorn2]

i was wondering what are some of the best brands of chicken feeds? our feed store sells a good variety including purina, layena, blue seal, poulin grain, and some other brands. are their any brands to avoid and any brands i should stick to?

If you're just looking for layer feed, I'd recommend seeing what your local mill or farm shop has. It's always better to support the local business than to buy low quality mass produced feed like Purina.