Blue Seal Vs Homestead Feeds

[jerseygirl1]

Another feed question: I use Blue Seal at 16% protein for my laying hens, but am wondering anyone else's opinions of the Homestead brand at 17% protein? It's a few dollars more, but I wonder if the laying quality and nutrition may be better? Jeesh, I am so new at this........
Thanks

 

[buddy#2]

I bought Homestead feed just a few weeks ago. Haven't use it long enough to see any difference in laying. The chickens are going through a molt and its hard to tell whats going to happen. Another lesson learned, don't switch feeds during molt or in winter during reduced production. I was getting local feed mill pellets at 20% protien, their mash is 18%. I've used Tractor Supplies feed before and its only 16%. Chickens did good on both. TSC feed is made by Purina and just saw today in a TSC, Purina feed along with the TSC Dumor brand and Blue Seal. First I saw Blue Seal. I liked Homesteads 17% just because its in the middle of everyone else. No animal protien or antibiotics. Chickens are omnivors but the animal protien could be anything and I don't like not knowing what they are getting. I think the Homestead feed will do just fine but its harder to get.

 

[jerseygirl1]

Thanks very much!!!

 

[Beau coop]

buddy#2 :

I bought Homestead feed just a few weeks ago. Haven't use it long enough to see any difference in laying. The chickens are going through a molt and its hard to tell whats going to happen. Another lesson learned, don't switch feeds during molt or in winter during reduced production. I was getting local feed mill pellets at 20% protien, their mash is 18%. I've used Tractor Supplies feed before and its only 16%. Chickens did good on both. TSC feed is made by Purina and just saw today in a TSC, Purina feed along with the TSC Dumor brand and Blue Seal. First I saw Blue Seal. I liked Homesteads 17% just because its in the middle of everyone else. No animal protien or antibiotics. Chickens are omnivors but the animal protien could be anything and I don't like not knowing what they are getting. I think the Homestead feed will do just fine but its harder to get.

I had been feeding my girls organic layer mash but man did their poop stink! I slowly switched them to dumor pellets. Now my birds are weak, they look rough (not molting) and zero eggs in over a week. Zero!! From 5 hens. Any way, I think it is the dumor feed. I was going to get nutrina and try that. I can't find blue seal here at my TSC. They have blue seal goat, horse etc. Just not chicken feed.

What do you think of the nutrina versus dumor?​

 

[jerseygirl1]

I used Dumor until I switched to Blue Seal, their poop stunk so bad from the Dumor, I was glad I changed. Nutrena seems to be on the same level as Blue Seal, for me, anyway. Our TSC carries Blue Seal, but you have to be quick to get it since they moved over to Purina and Nutrena, the Blue Seal is only being carried in smaller quantities. If I had a choice between Purina or Nutrena, I'd use Nutrena. But I do not like Purina for my cats and dogs, so I really
wouldn't use it for my chickens. Just my opinion.

 

[rstampa]

I use Countryside Broiler feed which has 19% protein and soy free. Until they reach laying age then I'll switch to Layer. The poop smell isn't bad. Plus my girls seem to look healthier and brighter.