All Flock Higher Protein Feed vs. Layer Feed

[Bear4boo]

We were using layer feed for our hens until we got baby chicks. We then switched all of them to starter/grower feed and supplemental calcium is always available. Now that all of the hens are laying we are trying to decide if we should switch them all over to layer feed or stay with a higher protein feed with supplemented calcium?
I know people do it both ways and I’ve love to hear your thoughts based on your own experiences as to which seems to work best.

 

[SueT]

20% all flock here, all chickens, all ages. Oyster shell on side.
Currently buying Kalmbach Flock Maker, they love it, never waste any.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I also use Purina all flock.
It serves the needs of my multi age flock and my rooster.
Oyster shell on the side of course.

I also have less worry about nutritional imbalance due to summer extras they get.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

All Flock, 20%. I have a mixed flock. One rooster. Old hens, spent and not laying. Pullets at Point of lay. Twelve layers. Oyster shell and grit on the side in separate containers. Afternoon snack of scratch, BOSS, dried mealworms. Everybody is well and happy.

 

[texsuze]

Purina All Flock fed here. Oyster shells and clean, crushed eggshells provided free-choice in separate bowls. As some of my hens age out of laying I don't want to be swapping feeds around all the time.

 

[Krux5506]

One of the biggest things I've learned from this forum is how many people (on here) go with a higher protein feed with shell on the side rather than layer. Layer feeds often can be deficient in certain things. Whenever I see someone brag about how cheap their feed is, usually one look at the nutrition label tells the complete story.

That's definitely not to say all layer feeds are bad though. The brand I buy has a solid layer feed but I opt for their chick feed mainly because it's 22% protein and actually a bit cheaper than their layer, so why not.

 

[red horse ranch]

I only use All Flock for my chickens and guineas. Roosters and male guineas should not have layer mix because the extra calcium can cause leg problems in males. I keep oyster shell handy for the females.

 

[TooCheep]

Feeding back egg shells won't be enough for laying hens, which is why that dish of oyster shell is so important.
Mary

Just to be clear:
Recycled egg shell + layer feed provides plenty of calcium. I had a couple of hens develop thin egg shells on layer feed + some free ranging without egg shell.
Recycled egg shell + flock feed is insufficient and needs oyster shell to provide sufficient calcium.

Edit: The first way of feeding is only good for actively laying hens. The second way of feeding has the bonus of being good for a mixed flock (mixed ages/sexes/inactive layers/etc).

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have one hen who has an issue with shell less or thin shelled eggs. I switched from all flock because it has no calcium and this hen won't eat oyster shells, it has seemed to help her by avoiding the all-flock feed.

Alternative option is, if you know exactly which bird it is, to supplement her directly with calcium tablets, or with a "private breakfast" of mash laced with calcium in some form.

I find it necessary to supplement older layers with calcium even with the option of layer feed as they just don't seem to process calcium as well as they used to, and don't intake enough on their own to make up for it.

 

[nuthatched]

I feed 18% chick feed or 20% meatbird, since both are a few dollars less than the flock feed here. I just throw oyster shell out for them to find.