I just opened a new bag of flock feed today and I started thinking about how I could buy layer feed next time. But, the protein is a whole lot lower and with my birds, well, they eat a lot of stuff (forage) that doesn't come from a feed bag so I worry about whether they'd get enough from a 16% layer feed (where the label clearly states that it is to be fed as a sole ration).
I've recently discovered that the county co-op store here offers a 21% protein layer feed and it says on the label "Co-op 21% Layer Ration is formulated to be fed with grain. For most efficient egg production, it is recommended that sixty (60) parts of Co-op 21% Layer Ration be fed with forty (40) parts grain or Co-op Scratch. It is important to see that consumption of grain is never more than the intake of the Co-op 21% Layer Ration. This will provide the birds with the proper balance of all ingredients." I also like that this stuff has animal protein because as pleasant as those soy-based poops are, I'm not convinced it's that great for the birds.
So, I'm wondering, is this product a better bet for someone like myself who is inclined to let the birds forage and who likes to give them kitchen scraps and garden extras? Would you mix it 3:2 as per the instructions or ???
Here is the rest of the tag data for those who know a lot about feed:
CO-OP 21% LAYER RATION
For Layer Chickens of Egg Laying Age
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein (min.) ............................................................................. 21.00%
Lysine (min.) ........................................................................................... 0.96%
Methionine (min) ..................................................................................... 0.37%
Crude Fat (min.) ..................................................................................... 3.00%
Crude Fiber (max.) ................................................................................. 5.00%
Calcium (min.) ......................................... 4.40% (max.) ....................... 5.20%
Phosphorus (min.) ................................................................................. 0.60%
Salt (min.) ................................................ 0.25% (max.) ....................... 0.75%
INGREDIENTS
Grain Products, Plant Protein Products, Processed Grain By-Products, Calcium
Carbonate, Animal Protein Products, Forage Products, Dicalcium Phosphate, Animal Fat and
Vegetable Oil with Ethoxyquin (a preservative), Salt, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Vitamin A
Acetate, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Roughage Products, Niacin Supplement,
d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulphite, Biotin,
Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ferrous
Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Copper Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt
Carbonate, and Mineral Oil.
I've recently discovered that the county co-op store here offers a 21% protein layer feed and it says on the label "Co-op 21% Layer Ration is formulated to be fed with grain. For most efficient egg production, it is recommended that sixty (60) parts of Co-op 21% Layer Ration be fed with forty (40) parts grain or Co-op Scratch. It is important to see that consumption of grain is never more than the intake of the Co-op 21% Layer Ration. This will provide the birds with the proper balance of all ingredients." I also like that this stuff has animal protein because as pleasant as those soy-based poops are, I'm not convinced it's that great for the birds.
So, I'm wondering, is this product a better bet for someone like myself who is inclined to let the birds forage and who likes to give them kitchen scraps and garden extras? Would you mix it 3:2 as per the instructions or ???
Here is the rest of the tag data for those who know a lot about feed:
CO-OP 21% LAYER RATION
For Layer Chickens of Egg Laying Age
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein (min.) ............................................................................. 21.00%
Lysine (min.) ........................................................................................... 0.96%
Methionine (min) ..................................................................................... 0.37%
Crude Fat (min.) ..................................................................................... 3.00%
Crude Fiber (max.) ................................................................................. 5.00%
Calcium (min.) ......................................... 4.40% (max.) ....................... 5.20%
Phosphorus (min.) ................................................................................. 0.60%
Salt (min.) ................................................ 0.25% (max.) ....................... 0.75%
INGREDIENTS
Grain Products, Plant Protein Products, Processed Grain By-Products, Calcium
Carbonate, Animal Protein Products, Forage Products, Dicalcium Phosphate, Animal Fat and
Vegetable Oil with Ethoxyquin (a preservative), Salt, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Vitamin A
Acetate, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Roughage Products, Niacin Supplement,
d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulphite, Biotin,
Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ferrous
Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Copper Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt
Carbonate, and Mineral Oil.