I have tried a range of feeds over the years. My standard base is always Scratch & Peck for chicks thru layers. To that, I add a crumble or mash type of feed as well. My favorite for the layers has been Big Sky Organics layer mash which I get through Azure Standard. What I really like about BSO is that their protein source is fishmeal. I have read studies, anecdotal reports and have personally experienced pea protein as not being readily converted by chickens into usable protein. I avoid soy in pretty much everything.
I always at the very least soak the feed (Especially S&P) Overnight in the fridge to reduce/eliminate phytic acid (basically as anti-nutrient in grains). Most of the time (unless I'm REALLY tired) I ferment the feed in small batches so I use the whole jar (when it's ready) in one day. To make the final dish less soggy, that's when I mix a little of the dry mash into it. It's then the perfect consistency for the chooks and they go crazy for it, lol!
For the chicks/pullets/cockerels, same process. Fermented (or at least soaked overnight) Scratch & Peck and then I add a dry mash to the wet feed to make it the perfect consistency for the chicken palate. I find they will ignore anything too soggy. I've used Mana Pro, Modesto Mills, King Feeds, and this round of chicks I gave H&H a try. So far, I like it.
I would never feed H&H, S&P, or any of the grain-based feeds dry. It's too likely to cause a nutrient deficiency over time because the fines sink to the bottom and/or get ignored by the chooks in favor of the tasty grains/seeds that are easy to pick out in a dry scenario. When the feed is fermented/soaked and mixed in together, it sort of makes a whole thick porridge type feed that they eat all the parts of.
I find that they eat less feed this way (I've measured and calculated), and also their eliminations aren't as smelly as when they've eaten non-fermented feed.
