Advice on chicken feed

[kensgirl77]

Hey everyone. I'm just starting out in all this BYC fun and have tons of questions. Can anyone suggest a quality brand chicken feed from tractor Supply? Also, how do you give chickens the grit and how much?

 

[Mosey2003]

I'm pretty sure TSC carries DuMor brand. I don't really shop there for feed, so I'm unsure what else is available. I always recommend an All Flock or grower feed though, with oyster shell on the side.

You can get a small piglet feeder for grit and oyster shell (separately), or just a no-tip dog bowl. Just leave a full bowl of each out where they can get it, and preferably not where it will be rained on.

 

[townchicks]

I tried the Dumor from TSC this summer and wasn't thrilled with it. All three of my hens got diarrhea, so I switched back to purina. Purina is never my choice for dog or cat food, but my girls seem to be doing ok on it.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Howdy Kensgirl! Welcome here. I buy 16% Dumor layer pellet feed from Tractor Supply for my year old chickens. I supplement that once a week with a 24% grower crumble to ensure they get enough protein since they are laying. You didn't say how old your chickens are? You don't want to give them layer feed until about 16 to 20 weeks. You can give them greens, (grass, lettuce, etc) at any age and they will love you if they get some dried meal worms. Just put oyster shell in a small plant dish and give them access to this, they will eat what they need. I've never given chickens grit - ever. They usually pick that up from the dirt when they "peck around"! I also free range my chickens. More information would be needed to know what your particular chickens would need. What age? Free range or kept in a run? How many?

 

[Mosey2003]

While grit isn't strictly necessary, it's cheap enough that I offer it most of the time. It's cheap insurance that the birds are getting the most benefit possible from the feed I buy. Not all rocks are considered equal, too. In my area, we're sitting on limestone. Limestone isn't a great rock for grit as it's rather soft, whereas the granite grit they sell commercially is quite hard.

 

[Cindy in PA]

My TSC carries tons of different feed. They have Dumor, Purina & Nature's Best Organic. Purina, Blue Seal & Nutrena conventional feed & many other brands that are sold in only small bags. If you do have any real feed stores near you, you would probably find better prices than TSC.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I currently am feeding my 18 weeks old Pullets, Naturewise Starter-Grower 18%. I just bought a bag of Flock Raiser 20%. I buy either the Nutrina or Purina brand in a 50# bag, Whichever is fresher when I'm at TSC.
When I only had 3 hens I bought a 25# bag of Start & Grow by Purina. Both brands have Probiotics, Prebiotics and yeast.
I offer them Poultry Grit in a 40 oz pail. . After 16 weeks old. I offer them Oyster Shells the same way. . GC

 

[proudmommie31]

From tractor supply I have used, and liked, nutrina nature wise products and now use Purina layena omega 3 feed. Dark orange yolks, rock hard shells, shiny feathers and great omega 3s for the family.

 

[Melky]

Hey everyone. I'm just starting out in all this BYC fun and have tons of questions. Can anyone suggest a quality brand chicken feed from tractor Supply? Also, how do you give chickens the grit and how much?

How old are your birds and do you have roosters? That might help with feed recommendations?

 

[Peppercorngal]

While grit isn't strictly necessary, it's cheap enough that I offer it most of the time. It's cheap insurance that the birds are getting the most benefit possible from the feed I buy. Not all rocks are considered equal, too. In my area, we're sitting on limestone. Limestone isn't a great rock for grit as it's rather soft, whereas the granite grit they sell commercially is quite hard.

You are right Mosey, here I have no worries as we live on granite! Crushed granite is everywhere so I have no concerns. Thanks for throwing that in!