Best Feed for Mixed Flock? PLEASE READ!

[ldrchickens]

I give my birds grower feed. I do order it in pellets from our local feed store. Once in awhile when they haven't ordered I have fed them Game Bird grower. My birds are very healthy. Every year I have them tested by the state and the tester has remarked on how well the birds are. When they are old enough and I'm getting ready for breeding I feed them breeder feed. These feeds are higher in protein than regular layer. My chick feed is 26% my grower is 21% and my breeder is 20%. There are times especially in the heat of the summer months when I feed the older birds Layer 16%. Here are some of the young males in a bachelor coop and pen.
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Beautiful roos! thanks for the input. i have decided to give them a mix of chick feed since i have a bag and flock raiser as their main diet.

 

[ldrchickens]

I agree that for most of us here, there is no need for layer feed at all, it's meant for light high production like white leghorns in cages (as a MIN protein even for them) with our larger "dual purpose" birds 16% is not enough IMHO , plus there is the calcium thing(which some clearly don't agree with) for the roos and non laying hens, not laying yet pullets etc. etc.

With free choice oyster shell, grit on the side also free choice the chickens can self regulate their needs, they're likely better at that than any of us here are anyway

thank you!

 

[cmom]

Because I have a lot of birds, I do put some oyster shells and granite grit into their feeders. I tried putting it in separate dishes but it always got spilled so now I put it in their feeders. I have 40# feeders in my coops. They take what they want and it doesn't end up on the floor anymore.