Can I Use Flock Raiser Long Term?

[Patinas]

I have 20 hens and 1 rooster. All my chickens are almost 4 to 4 1/2 months old and only one hen has recently started laying.

I've been looking around on here but not quite found an answer for my question which is, can I feed flock raiser or any other starter/grower long term and just offer oyster shell separately? Even when all the hens are eventually laying, I still have a rooster (at this point) and I can't feed him layer feed day in and day out.

I realize the starter/grower feed has more protein but it has less calcium so it's safe for the rooster right? I also let them free range 3-4 hours a day so I'm thinking the higher protein in grower feed shouldn't be an issue.

If at some point, I don't have the rooster and all the hens are laying, I would have no problem putting them all on layer feed.

Also, what do you do in the winter when they are laying less? I don't intend to use supplemental lighting to encourage my hens to keep up egg production during the winter so wouldn't you cut back on giving them layer feed during that time any way?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yes, yes, and yes, again. I will never feed a layer ration again, and my flock is much healthier for it.

I let mine follow a natural cycle during winter. Young ones less than a year lay through it. Others resume laying in December or January because they molted quicker on a higher protein ration. Older hens resume laying in March through May.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Yes, you can feed your chickens flock raiser long term. I think chick grower isn't as good because it has too much protein.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I feed chick grower to my bantams year round, I feed an All Flock to all my other birds.

 

[lastco]

Excellent topic. I've been thinking about giving this a try as well.

 

[Folly's place]

I feed Flock Raiser all year to everyone, with separate oyster shell. I've done this for many years and it works very well. Mary

 

[azygous]

Flock Raiser is what I've been feeding my mixed flock for years, with oyster shell on the side for the laying hens.

This is so practical that it practically requires no debate. When you have a flock ranging in age from nine years down to three months, as I have, with many of them non-laying, it would be prohibitively complicated to try to juggle different feeds.

I ferment the Flock Raiser, and have hens that are aged six and seven years still laying regularly good quality eggs.

 

[Patinas]

Yes, yes, and yes, again. I will never feed a layer ration again, and my flock is much healthier for it.

I let mine follow a natural cycle during winter. Young ones less than a year lay through it. Others resume laying in December or January because they molted quicker on a higher protein ration. Older hens resume laying in March through May.

Thanks so much!

 

[Patinas]

Flock Raiser is what I've been feeding my mixed flock for years, with oyster shell on the side for the laying hens.

This is so practical that it practically requires no debate. When you have a flock ranging in age from nine years down to three months, as I have, with many of them non-laying, it would be prohibitively complicated to try to juggle different feeds.

I ferment the Flock Raiser, and have hens that are aged six and seven years still laying regularly good quality eggs.

I have not yet researched fermented feed nor how to ferment it but I'll start looking into that option too. Thanks!

 

[azygous]

Fermenting feed is so easy even a five-year old could do it. Simply cover the dry feed with water, add a little bit of ACV to kick start it, stir twice a day, and leave in a warm place with no drafts.

Using filtered water will help the ferment proceed at a much faster pace. You may adjust the consistency at any time by either adding more water for a thinner texture or adding more dry feed for a thicker one.

I like my FF the consistency of biscuit dough. Too much liquid in the FF can cause runny poop and everyone hates runny poop.