Changing feed to Kalmbach 20% Flock Maker pellets

[talkinboutchickens]

I use it because I prefer a higher protein feed than 17%.

What's the percentage on All Flock?

 

[FrostRanger]

What's the percentage on All Flock?

Depends on the brand, but usually 20%

 

[RoyalChick]

What's the percentage on All Flock?

Kalmbach has a Flock Maker and a Full Plume Feathering feed. Both are 20% protein. The Flock Maker doesn’t have the extra calcium but the Full Plume does.
Now the babies are no longer babies I switched to the Full Plume one.

 

[FrostRanger]

I just feed oyster shell on the side. My pullets that have started laying have strong shells, the ones that aren't don't get overloaded with calcium and everyone gets plenty of protein

 

[WingItRanch]

Yay! Do you know where it shipped from? Curious if it was same as where mine ships from (which is NE KS warehouse).

Oops! Forgot to check the tag. I'll check next time I'm out at the barn.

 

[WingItRanch]

You don't need to get the all flock stuff unless you have different poultry housed together
I would just get the 17% layer pellets if you just have chickens.

I have a cockerel so I didn't want to risk Layer since the extra calcium isn't the best. Plus, I like the idea of keeping higher protein. That way it helps during molting and if they ever have babies. No constant switching of feed.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I have a cockerel so I didn't want to risk Layer since the extra calcium isn't the best. Plus, I like the idea of keeping higher protein. That way it helps during molting and if they ever have babies. No constant switching of feed.

I did not know that extra calcium isn't good for the roos. I have two roos and 11 hens. And I feed them layer crumble. Should be fine right?

 

[FrostRanger]

I did not know that extra calcium isn't good for the roos. I have two roos and 11 hens. And I feed them layer crumble. Should be fine right?

The extra calcium is bad for any bird that isn't laying. It can cause some internal issues. I would switch to an all flock if you have roosters or other non-laying birds

 

[RoyalChick]

I did not know that extra calcium isn't good for the roos. I have two roos and 11 hens. And I feed them layer crumble. Should be fine right?

Long term the extra calcium in Layer feeds (or the Kalmbach Full Plume I mentioned before) is bad for the kidneys of roos who do not need the extra calcium to make egg shells.
It is a long term thing so it doesn't matter if they eat layer feed if you have a bag to use up or whatever, but supposedly it is not good as their main feed.
What I have no idea is if you gave them a choice of All Flock and Layer/Full Plume would they naturally pick the low calcium one.

 

[WingItRanch]

I did not know that extra calcium isn't good for the roos. I have two roos and 11 hens. And I feed them layer crumble. Should be fine right?

I'm still new to this but I did a lot of research on both this site and many others and consensus was the layer feed wasn't good for roosters or older hens that stop laying. Or chicks until they start laying.

I made a little container with oyster shell for the calcium the layers need. The chickens know what their body needs so if they need the calcium, they take some oyster shell. If they don't, they leave it alone. They call it "free choice calcium."