- Mar 28, 2012
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I'd like to have a showdown on feed types. We run a small hatchery and easily go through more than a bag of feed per day. Here's the scoop.
We have used Dumor
We have not used Layena
We have not used Nutrina
A) Dumor as we "hear" is a pretty good feed. MY experience is that it is OK. It is rated 4/5 at Tractor Supply. I've heard a RUMOR that it is made by Purina Layena (and packaged for Tractor Supply). Of course, this is just something I read and do NOT have verification if in fact it is true. Our results are OK with Dumor thus far. Our feathers are not great but not entirely bad either. We sometimes have hens pick feathers off others but I don't think it really has to do with feed. The fresh layers are shiny, the older ones not so much. Energy levels seem OK on Dumor. Does ANYBODY know for a FACT if Purina makes Dumor? If so, that would pretty much conclude that Dumor is a generic Purina and there is not much sense in buying Purina for an extra $2 per bag. THIS IS the cheapest option of the 3.
B) Purina Layena is made by (of course) Purina which is one of the largest suppliers of animal feed around. Being a brand name, it will probably be pretty consistent feed. Everything I read about Layena seems pretty good except the occasional "My chickens turn their beaks up at it".
(The ingredients list and the tag percent contents are very close between Dumor and Layena.)
C) Nutrena Naturewise Layer feed is newer to me. It seems to have probiotics in the feed which seems good. I do not have experience with Nutrina.
Costs:
Tractor Supply Dumor: $12.99 bag 50 pounds
Purina Layena: $14.99 bag 50 pounds
Nutrena Naturewise: $14.99 bag 50 pounds
Again, I go through 1 bag a day. $2 extra adds up on other brands.
The questions I'd have are the following:
1) Is Dumor verified to be made by Purina and packaged for Tractor Supply?
2) Does anybody have ACTUAL EXPERIENCE when switching from one feed type to another of egg production increase? (I'm talking the chickens were laying well, then it got better. Not situations where when you switched the chickens stopped laying, or winter was coming, or they went into moult, or any other funky complications - but rather a situation where they were doing good, then you got a 25% egg increase or decrease when switching.)
3) Does anybody have ACTUAL EXPERIENCE of chickens eating/consuming less feed of one type than another yet still producing the same? (more vitamins/probiotics etc.)
I'm trying to be 100% bottom line here. Looking for maximum egg production and maximum health with one of these feed types. I believe all of them to be good feeds. We supply people with chicks who just want to put some in their suburban backyard. I really want to have a great supply of babies for great homes.
I know some of you are on certain types of feed and like them. That's great! I'm really looking for people to respond who have seen actual real results when switching between brands and their experiences with them. Especially who have done this through time and have a lot of experience with chickens!
We have used Dumor
We have not used Layena
We have not used Nutrina
A) Dumor as we "hear" is a pretty good feed. MY experience is that it is OK. It is rated 4/5 at Tractor Supply. I've heard a RUMOR that it is made by Purina Layena (and packaged for Tractor Supply). Of course, this is just something I read and do NOT have verification if in fact it is true. Our results are OK with Dumor thus far. Our feathers are not great but not entirely bad either. We sometimes have hens pick feathers off others but I don't think it really has to do with feed. The fresh layers are shiny, the older ones not so much. Energy levels seem OK on Dumor. Does ANYBODY know for a FACT if Purina makes Dumor? If so, that would pretty much conclude that Dumor is a generic Purina and there is not much sense in buying Purina for an extra $2 per bag. THIS IS the cheapest option of the 3.
B) Purina Layena is made by (of course) Purina which is one of the largest suppliers of animal feed around. Being a brand name, it will probably be pretty consistent feed. Everything I read about Layena seems pretty good except the occasional "My chickens turn their beaks up at it".
(The ingredients list and the tag percent contents are very close between Dumor and Layena.)
C) Nutrena Naturewise Layer feed is newer to me. It seems to have probiotics in the feed which seems good. I do not have experience with Nutrina.
Costs:
Tractor Supply Dumor: $12.99 bag 50 pounds
Purina Layena: $14.99 bag 50 pounds
Nutrena Naturewise: $14.99 bag 50 pounds
Again, I go through 1 bag a day. $2 extra adds up on other brands.
The questions I'd have are the following:
1) Is Dumor verified to be made by Purina and packaged for Tractor Supply?
2) Does anybody have ACTUAL EXPERIENCE when switching from one feed type to another of egg production increase? (I'm talking the chickens were laying well, then it got better. Not situations where when you switched the chickens stopped laying, or winter was coming, or they went into moult, or any other funky complications - but rather a situation where they were doing good, then you got a 25% egg increase or decrease when switching.)
3) Does anybody have ACTUAL EXPERIENCE of chickens eating/consuming less feed of one type than another yet still producing the same? (more vitamins/probiotics etc.)
I'm trying to be 100% bottom line here. Looking for maximum egg production and maximum health with one of these feed types. I believe all of them to be good feeds. We supply people with chicks who just want to put some in their suburban backyard. I really want to have a great supply of babies for great homes.
I know some of you are on certain types of feed and like them. That's great! I'm really looking for people to respond who have seen actual real results when switching between brands and their experiences with them. Especially who have done this through time and have a lot of experience with chickens!
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