best brand of chicken feed?

[seminolewind]

THIS JUST CAN'T BE TRUE!!!!!!! I've prayed for this. Blue Seal is NOW available in the south, and at my Tractor Supply!!!!!
They have about 20 types of poultry or chicken feed.
I have waited 10 years for this.

My first horse was 37 years old when he died. I fed him Blue Seal products for 21 years. This was up north in NY. I could not get it down here. I do think that my horse lived longer and had really nice hooves because of his food. When I got him he was really hot (tempered) on Agway feed. A few months after I switched to Blue Seal, he became mellower and happier. He was still bursting with energy. But just took things a bit easier. He also got a nice shiny coat.

I know I can't buy chicken feed based on my old horse, but it makes me feel better knowing I can now use Blue Seal. I can't even say it's any different than other chicken feeds.

Now even Petco is selling chicken feed-some other brand.

 

[Michael Apple]

The higher amounts recommended in a breeder mix is more for the chick within the egg than the hen herself. The hen will get her nutrition no matter what, some of the "extra" nutrition will go to the embryo and that helps with a good hatch rate and healthy chicks.

I wouldn't say that I know more than Morley,,, but I do know that a lot in poultry nutrition has changed since the 50's. Shoot even the birds has changed.

The hen will not benefit nutritionally if the quality of nutrients are not available. Since the egg develops within the hen, the quality of the egg is based upon the health of the hen due to the digestibility of nutrients. The physiology of the chicken and nutrient requirements remain unchanged since the 1950's.

 

[seminolewind]

Michael, I wonder if that's a good thing-nutrient requirements from the 50's but here we are with genetically altered chickens that lay 300 eggs a year- virtual egg machines that I would think need a higher amount of nutrition. Did you know their early early ancestors, the jungle fowl only laid about 12 eggs a year. Makes you think about how hard these hens work now days.

 

[Chris09]

The hen will not benefit nutritionally if the quality of nutrients are not available. Since the egg develops within the hen, the quality of the egg is based upon the health of the hen due to the digestibility of nutrients. The physiology of the chicken and nutrient requirements remain unchanged since the 1950's.

I never said that the nutrients isn't there,
I did say that a breeder ration has added B2, meaning that there is more B2 in a breeder ration than say a later ration..

No there has been a lot that has changed in not only in poultry nutrition but the breeds themselves. The average chicken in the 50's would lay around 4 eggs a week todays chickens lay 6 to 7 eggs and start laying at a younger age, that partly has to do with genetics of the bird but also know better what there nutritional needs are and the notional make up of a set feedstuff.

 

[Michael Apple]

I never said that the nutrients isn't there,
I did say that a breeder ration has added B2, meaning that there is more B2 in a breeder ration than say a later ration..

No there has been a lot that has changed in not only in poultry nutrition but the breeds themselves. The average chicken in the 50's would lay around 4 eggs a week todays chickens lay 6 to 7 eggs and start laying at a younger age, that partly has to do with genetics of the bird but also know better what there nutritional needs are and the notional make up of a set feedstuff.

My point was there should be no less riboflavin in layer rations than breeder rations. And as I stated before, riboflavin is an essential for more than just a robust embryo in the egg.
England's Egg Ranch in Inglewood, California run by George C. England had Leghorn hens commonly producing 200 eggs a year on their second year in 1924 (Pacific Poultrycraft 1925 Issue #290). Crossing breeds is also nothing new in regard to chickens. Strides in science have been made in the study of nutrition and sources, pharmaceuticals since the 50's, but the nutritive requirements of chickens and their physiology remains unchanged. That is inarguable.

 

[seminolewind]

I think some smart company should sell "Chicken Feed", and "Pet Chicken Feed". All these present companies appear to be focused on the MINimum daily requirements, not PREferred daily requirements. Not all chicken owners want to save a buck and supply minimum nutritional needs.

 

[Michael Apple]

I think some smart company should sell "Chicken Feed", and "Pet Chicken Feed". All these present companies appear to be focused on the MINimum daily requirements, not PREferred daily requirements. Not all chicken owners want to save a buck and supply minimum nutritional needs.

I don't know what you have locally, but when's the last time you saw labeled breeder pellets? Livestock supplements are big business, and we've become dependent on them due to minimum daily requirements in most feeds. Poor egg quality or sickly birds can't all be blamed on bad genetics.

 

[seminolewind]

So, it sounds like manipulation.

 

[Michael Apple]

So, it sounds like manipulation.

Instead of merely standing behind consistency of a quality product, the marketplace is full of BS artists, which seemingly outnumber the honest ones who can stand behind the quality of a product.

 

[8machines]

My point was there should be no less riboflavin in layer rations than breeder rations. And as I stated before, riboflavin is an essential for more than just a robust embryo in the egg.
England's Egg Ranch in Inglewood, California run by George C. England had Leghorn hens commonly producing 200 eggs a year on their second year in 1924 (Pacific Poultrycraft 1925 Issue #290). Crossing breeds is also nothing new in regard to chickens. Strides in science have been made in the study of nutrition and sources, pharmaceuticals since the 50's, but the nutritive requirements of chickens and their physiology remains unchanged. That is inarguable.

Well, I am just as confused as before. I try to read the labels but when you move 3 times in 3 years, it's helpful to know a couple of brands. Thank you.