Bull heifer developer?

[two j farm]

Can my chickens eat bull and heifer feed? My feed store had a busted bag and gave it to me. I have already fed a little of it to them to see if they would eat it, and they did. If its OK for them I may buy some because the price is low. $8.50 a bag.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

It would help if you took a picture of the ingredient label or listed all of them. Most feeds are different and there'd be no way to give you an accurate answer without knowing all the details.

 

[two j farm]

It would help if you took a picture of the ingredient label or listed all of them. Most feeds are different and there'd be no way to give you an accurate answer without knowing all the details.

Thanks I will post pics in the morning.

 

[two j farm]

Here you go.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The fiber is way too high. You want to stay around 5%.
The protein is low at 14% and with all that fiber, it will negate most of that protein. It gets absorbed and used up in the fiber.
You could use what you have but only mixed with the regular feed at about 5% of the total.
I wouldn't buy any. It will take too long to feed it out.
Cattle are ruminants, while poultry and swine are monogastric animals. Ruminants and monogastric animals have completely different digestive systems and don't have the same diets.
I guess that's why it says for "feeding beef cattle only".

 

[two j farm]

OK thanks. Glad I asked before buying any.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

OK thanks. Glad I asked before buying any.

I'm glad you did to!

I agree with Chicken Canoe... and will add that feed also doesn't have the correct vitamins, minerals, and amino acids needed for poultry. I would likely still feed it out as a treat in low quantities as suggested... maybe have some fun experimenting with fermenting... noting that I am NOT a fermented chicken feed advocate and after doing so for several years do not believe it's in the best interest of my flock to unformulate their professionally formulated ration for long term feeding... but as a treat, it can be fun to see a flocks reaction. That looks like it might even benefit just from having water added to make a mash.

I will make one final note... though you seem already informed enough to have made the proper decision. woot).. saving money is not always as straight forward as finding something cheaper to feed... The immune system and so many other things rely on nutrients, not just energy (calories). Malnourished animals (and people) have a harder time fighting EVERYTHING off... so more internal and external parasites, illnesses, and even early death can often be kept at bay just by the body having everything it needs on tap. Shopping around for the feed I do use though... has saved me up to $3/bag!

Some folks are able to find local mills that offer much more affordable poultry feed than what I can get.

Good luck and thanks for sharing your question with us!

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

I agree with @ChickenCanoe. Instead of mixing you could also just feed a couple handfuls as scratch or top dress a very small amount in their feed pans to get rid of the bag you already have.

 

[two j farm]

Thanks everyone. I decided not to feed it at all and fed the bag I had to the deer. killed a good 8 point off of it