best brand of chicken feed?

[Chris09]

Quote: I don't know where your information is coming from but it's not exactly true.
A layer feed can have a protein level from 15% minimum protein to 20% minimum protein depending on the type of layer feed and the Mfg.
A 16% minimum protein feed will have no less than 16% protein but have more than 16% protein example being a 16% feed having 16.5 or 17 percent protein.

Scratch being, "like candy" is a common misconception by a lot of people that don't know poultry nutrition and the options that are out there.
First scratch can be any single grain or any mix of grains that is pitched on the ground to encourage scratching of the ground, it is also used as a treat or to lower the protein amount in the summer which helps lower the chances of heat stroke.
A scratch grain mix can and does have a nutritional value, some just have more than others.
Since a scratch grain can be a single grain or a mix of grains the protein amount can be from 8% to 20% protein.
I myself use a all grain pigeon feed as a scratch witch is 17 to 18 percent protein.

Lastly,,, since chickens eat to fill there caloric need and not there stomach by adding low calorie foods like fruits, vegetables, etc. your lowering there caloric intake making them eat more. You would be far better off feeding them a better feed that there nutritional needs and animal proteins.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:

MOST All these layer feeds supply what they call "minimum acceptable protein", usually 16%. If a chicken eats anything aside from that feed, it lowers the protein required per day. I feel since mine free range, they should have a higher protein to compensate. So I do mix a high protein crumble into my Layer to increase the protein to around 20%. I think 18-22% is a good target if your chickens eat anything aside from Layer.

MOST Scratch is like candy bar. No nutrition and poor protein. I know what I use instead is not the greatest but I use horse sweet feed that's all oats, whole and pellet. That's 10% protein, vitamins and minerals, which I like. They don't get that much. Probably 1 quart for 29 chickens and 6 geese.

I think that MOST the chicken feed out there that's publicly available is lacking. I think hunting for a feed is a waste of time, I try to add fruits and veggies and left overs to their diet, and vitamins etc. to make their diet healthier- (not more calories)

If MOST feed was made based on nutrition alone and not how cheap it can be made, it would have some more protein. Corn and soybeans are fine. But what else would one like to see in a "complete" feed? Fishmeal and wheat middlings (?) are documented in having increase the chances of Clostridium bacteria to multiply and cause Enteritis or sub clinical enteritis in chickens. Big problem since many countries have banned the use of antibiotics in feed.

Most of my information comes from reading reading reading books and papers written by those researchers involved in nutrition and disease in Poultry. And of course I have always been a label reader.

 

[Chris09]

Putting, "most" in front of what you posted doesn't change some of the incorrect parts of your post.

Quote: The only time the protein is depleted is when the poultry eat something with a lesser protein amount.

Quote: There is a nutritional value in scratch. Corn by itself has a nutritional value, shoot the grit they pick up from the ground has a nutritional value..

_________________________________

Quote: That all depends, the average laying hen that isn't fed a bunch of scraps, and odd and end grains can do quite well on a 16% feed.
I agree that some feed are cheaply made but it isn't the amount of protein with in the feed that make them cheep. It is the type of proteins, most poultry feeds don't use animal protein so they have to use synthetic amino acids, making for a cheaper feed.

Quote: Fish Meal only increases the chances of Clostridium if the fish being used have it and are not treated properly.
Now if your asking me what I would like to see in a complete feed,,,, start by adding animal proteins. fish meal, porcine meat meal, chicken by-product meal, feather meal, beef products even egg products, IMO no feed should carry the name natural on there bag/tag if does not contain animal proteins.

 

[Michael Apple]

Fish Meal only increases the chances of Clostridium if the fish being used have it and are not treated properly.
Now if your asking me what I would like to see in a complete feed,,,, start by adding animal proteins. fish meal, porcine meat meal, chicken by-product meal, feather meal, beef products even egg products, IMO no feed should carry the name natural on there bag/tag if does not contain animal proteins.

The cheapest feeds will contain soy sourced from China. We know some of the large mills do it, and I know people who have worked for big poultry producers that attest to it. I agree about fish meal promoting Clostridium Perfigens. The same can be said of any chicken diet with too high a percentage of protein. Diets with high levels of indigestible, water-soluble non-starch polysaccharides (coming from rye and wheat) are known to increase the thickness of the intestinal content, which encourages the development of necrotic enteritis. Milk derived proteins constitute some of the best animal protein supplements for growth and egg production. 1 lb of dried whey is the equivalent of about 13 lbs of liquid whey. Still, I believe what many trials concluded, under the supervision of some of the greats like Jull and Heuser, that a combination of animal and vegetable protein produces the best results.

When I consider protein, digestibility is the first that comes to mind. When I consider proteins, they must not contain more than 10% phosphoric acid since excessive amounts of phosphorus and calcium cause perosis or slipped tendons. meat and bone scraps contain more than 10% phosphoric acid. If I use any meat product at all, it would be a no salt tuna, and only on occasion as a treat. What is better is freeze dried white fish rather than moist fish with less than 6% salt. The worst things people can do, is feed raw meat or liquid milk to where birds do not clean it up fast enough, flies visit, or it gets rancid, then they wonder why birds have crop problems, tapeworms, or other intestinal problems.

 

[seminolewind]

Putting, "most" in front of what you posted doesn't change some of the incorrect parts of your post.

Quote:

The only time the protein is depleted is when the poultry eat something with a lesser protein amount.

Quote:
Scratch is like candy bar. No nutrition and poor protein.

There is a nutritional value in scratch. Corn by itself has a nutritional value, shoot the grit they pick up from the ground has a nutritional value..

_________________________________

Quote: That all depends, the average laying hen that isn't fed a bunch of scraps, and odd and end grains can do quite well on a 16% feed.
I agree that some feed are cheaply made but it isn't the amount of protein with in the feed that make them cheep. It is the type of proteins, most poultry feeds don't use animal protein so they have to use synthetic amino acids, making for a cheaper feed.

Quote: Fish Meal only increases the chances of Clostridium if the fish being used have it and are not treated properly.
Now if your asking me what I would like to see in a complete feed,,,, start by adding animal proteins. fish meal, porcine meat meal, chicken by-product meal, feather meal, beef products even egg products, IMO no feed should carry the name natural on there bag/tag if does not contain animal proteins.



Oops, guess you're right, corn is nutritional - if you like calories and carbs.

1. Nutrition Facts
   Corn, whiteCorn, yellowCorn, white
   
   
   Amount Per 100 grams1 cup (166 g)1 cup (166 g)
   
   
   Calories 606
2. % Daily Value*​
   Total Fat 8 g
   12%​
   Saturated fat 1.1 g
   5%​
   Polyunsaturated fat 3.6 g
   ​
   Monounsaturated fat 2.1 g
   ​
   Cholesterol 0 mg
   0%​
   Sodium 58 mg
   2%​
   Potassium 476 mg
   13%​
   Total Carbohydrate 123 g
   41%​
   Protein 16 g
   32%​
   Vitamin A
   0%​
   Vitamin C
   0%​
   Calcium
   1%​
   Iron
   25%​
   Vitamin D
   0%​
   Vitamin B-6
   50%​
   Vitamin B-12
   0%​
   Magnesium
   52%​
   *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
   
   
   

The higher risk of Clostridium growing out of control is not from unclean fish meal. It's from meal that sets in the intestines longer making a nice place for the bacteria to be fruitful and multiply. Fish and wheat meal are noted to be 2 types of meal that are most common. I'd love to see meat products in feed-just not chicken.

I don't consider any of my posts to be inaccurate. I don't consider this thread to be a place where a member calls one's information not exactly true. Just ignore my posts and post your own information , and please don't make any more references to my posts.

 

[Chickenchick11]

Hi everyone,
I currently feed my flock either Nutrena NatureWise Layer Feed or Purina Layena depending on what my feed store has in stock. I was hoping to start feeding my flock organic feed soon. I was wondering what brand(s) of organic feed you guys use.

 

[Michael Apple]

Hi everyone,
I currently feed my flock either Nutrena NatureWise Layer Feed or Purina Layena depending on what my feed store has in stock. I was hoping to start feeding my flock organic feed soon. I was wondering what brand(s) of organic feed you guys use.

I currently use Modesto Milling organic layer pellets in California. Little to no waste since it is palatable to the flock. King Feeds was another I used for awhile but the availability was a problem. Very similar ingredients though.

 

[Chickenchick11]

I currently use Modesto Milling organic layer pellets in California. Little to no waste since it is palatable to the flock. King Feeds was another I used for awhile but the availability was a problem. Very similar ingredients though.

Thanks, I will check those out.

 

[Michael Apple]

Thanks, I will check those out.

I am unaware of the availability of quality organic rations in other states. I've seen organic labels and GMO-free labels with ingredients that were unfavorable. If you can find someone who prefers organic rations in your state, ask them. Supporting local mills who produce a quality organic product increase the chances of availability in your area.

 

[Chickenchick11]

I am unaware of the availability of quality organic rations in other states. I've seen organic labels and GMO-free labels with ingredients that were unfavorable. If you can find someone who prefers organic rations in your state, ask them. Supporting local mills who produce a quality organic product increase the chances of availability in your area.

Ok, I will check around here.