Balanced feed?

[momofjandj]

I recently had a rooster become paralyzed. I read and read and treated him for a vitamin deficiency. In a couple days I saw improvement. It's been about 2 weeks and he appears to have recovered. I've seen quite a few posts of paralyzed birds and vitamins suggested.

It make's me wonder why their feed isn't supplemented with what they need? Is there a feed that is? We have available.... Purina, Nutrena, Country Companion, Modesto and Scratch & Peck.

Thank you.

 

[DiYMama540]

What are you currently feeding your birds?

My flock does really well on an all flock pellet by Nutrena. They also have the same thing in other brands, look for anything called all flock, flock raiser, etc.

 

[momofjandj]

We've recently switched to Purina Layena crumbles from Scratch and Peck.

 

[aliciaplus3]

We've recently switched to Purina Layena crumbles from Scratch and Peck.

I like the purina products, they are about the best available here in the middle of nowhere. With as many birds as I have I use the bulk feed from my local co.op but I like to supplement my young ones with the purina flock raiser. I run ducks, and turkeys along with my chickens and the flock raiser is as close as I can find, that is readily available, to feed all 3 species and come close to meeting their nutritional needs.

 

[FortCluck]

I feed Dumor grower/finisher and flock raiser. I don't think I've ever seen a vitamin deficiency on these feeds. I do know layer feed is not recommended for roosters or birds that do not or have not laid eggs yet. The added calcium is not good for them.

 

[momofjandj]

It's been several months sine we switched feed. I'm going to compare ingredients. We have our rooster in with hens that were laying, they have slowed down. Hard to feed them seperately.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Scratch n Peck is a beautiful product that contains everything they need. But I’ve read of others with the same problem. The chickens pick out their favorites and leave the rest, not getting the added nutrients that are “fines,” powder that they ignore.

Your new feed should work well, but layers also need oyster shell available at all times. They eat it when they need calcium.

As the days get shorter, laying falls off in most breeds. It picks up again when the days get longer.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I recently had a rooster become paralyzed. I read and read and treated him for a vitamin deficiency. In a couple days I saw improvement. It's been about 2 weeks and he appears to have recovered. I've seen quite a few posts of paralyzed birds and vitamins suggested.

It make's me wonder why their feed isn't supplemented with what they need? Is there a feed that is? We have available.... Purina, Nutrena, Country Companion, Modesto and Scratch & Peck.

Thank you.

I'm glad your rooster revovered!

I switched from Manna Pro to Scratch & Peck, and I've never seen my birds do so well. I ferment it, and they have been thriving! But any of those feeds are formulated for complete nutrition, so I wonder if the vitamin deficiency was related to something else??? I admit I don't know nearly as much as I should about these things. Gotta work on that...

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Yes, fermented feed soaks all the fines in water, so the girls eat it all! That way they get all the vitamins that have been added.

I give my pullets some soaked feed (mash) or, if i make extra, it ferments. I feed it to them warm in the cold months, but I can’t put it in my feeder. It freezes solid in a few hours. So I use pellets where they can’t separate the yummy from the necessary.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Yes, fermented feed soaks all the fines in water, so the girls eat it all! That way they get all the vitamins that have been added.

I give my pullets some soaked feed (mash) or, if i make extra, it ferments. I feed it to them warm in the cold months, but I can’t put it in my feeder. It freezes solid in a few hours. So I use pellets where they can’t separate the yummy from the necessary.

Yeah, it doesn't get that cold here. That's something I didn't consider with colder climates.

My birds will get warm feed this morning (it's still dark here)!