All Flock Higher Protein Feed vs. Layer Feed

[Folly's place]

I also use a 20% protein all flock feed. Pay attention to mill dates on each bag of feed! Here the Flock Raiser is generally no older than one month from the mill date, so I like that. You might find another feed that's more likely to be fresh often at your local feed stores.
Mary

 

[Bawkbok]

There are a lot of options and it can be confusing for sure.

They can eat the starter their whole lives or you can switch if you choose to.
I myself feed a 20% all flock since I have a rooster and many old birds that don't lay anymore.

Is there a nutritional reason you want to or need to switch?

Thank you for your response. I didn't realize they could stay on starter feed their whole lives. They seem to like it so I guess I'll stick with it. It is 18% protein, so not the 20% most folks here seem to tend toward but we don't have a rooster.
I also have a bag of 25% protein (Knight's brand) which was purchased by mistake but I don't use it. I'm thinking so as not to waste it I could perhaps mix some of it in with the starter feed or would that be introducing too much protein?

 

[Debbie292d]

I myself feed a 20% all flock since I have a rooster and many old birds that don't lay anymore.

Same here. It's so easy to have one feed for everyone....the new chicks, laying hens, old hens, and roosters. We buy Kalmbach's Flock Maker, 20% and put out oyster shell feeders in the coops where there are laying hens.

 

[Debbie292d]

Thank you for your response. I didn't realize they could stay on starter feed their whole lives. They seem to like it so I guess I'll stick with it. It is 18% protein, so not the 20% most folks here seem to tend toward but we don't have a rooster.
I also have a bag of 25% protein (Knight's brand) which was purchased by mistake but I don't use it. I'm thinking so as not to waste it I could perhaps mix some of it in with the starter feed or would that be introducing too much protein?

I'd not waste it and would mix it in, like 1 part of the 25%, and 3 parts of your 18% starter.

Your 18% by the way is better than layer that's usually 16% so don't think you're shorting them a bit. We'd do the same, but the Flock Maker is a couple bucks a bag cheaper for nearly the same thing.

 

[Bawkbok]

I'd not waste it and would mix it in, like 1 part of the 25%, and 3 parts of your 18% starter.

Your 18% by the way is better than layer that's usually 16% so don't think you're shorting them a bit. We'd do the same, but the Flock Maker is a couple bucks a bag cheaper for nearly the same thing.

Thank you. I just wanted to make sure this would be ok to do before I mixed it in. I appreciate your input along with the ratio. I would hate to waste the feed but wouldn't hesitate in discarding it if it were to be harmful to them during their development.

 

[ConnieSmeltzer]

I’m reading the comments and wondering when or if I should switch my layer feed to grower feed. I’m new at this and want my girls to be happy and healthy. I have 8 hens that haven’t started laying yet. They are 16 weeks old now. Hoping next month they’ll start.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I’m reading the comments and wondering when or if I should switch my layer feed to grower feed. I’m new at this and want my girls to be happy and healthy. I have 8 hens that haven’t started laying yet. They are 16 weeks old now. Hoping next month they’ll start.

If your plan is to be using layer once they are actively laying, then I'd hold off until then. If you're in the northern hemisphere the shortening days can delay laying somewhat, so it would not be unusual if they take longer than the 20 weeks you're estimating for start of laying.

 

[ConnieSmeltzer]

If your plan is to be using layer once they are actively laying, then I'd hold off until then. If you're in the northern hemisphere the shortening days can delay laying somewhat, so it would not be unusual if they take longer than the 20 weeks you're estimating for start of laying.

Thank you for answering me. I’m in Pennsylvania so I’m not counting on the 20 week start, but I would love to see that!