Changing feed to Kalmbach 20% Flock Maker pellets

[WingItRanch]

I have been feeding my chicks Dumor chick starter/grower crumble feed. They're 16 weeks now and after doing a lot of research, I'm going to stick to 20% protein instead of switching to Layer or All Flock at a lower protein percentage. I have 1 cockerel and 11 pullets. They will have access to oyster shell separate from the feed.

Everyone seems to recommend Kalmbach. They don't carry it at my local TSC but I found it on Chewy. I'll like to switch to pellets to keep the mess down and found the Flock Maker has a pellet option.

Any advice/opinions on this plan?

 

[alwaystj9]

I had to switch to Kalmbach when my feed store switched over. (The prices were lower than Nutrena feeds.) This is the second time that I have used it and I find that my chickens' consumption of oyster shell goes up whenever I steady feed Kalmbach. There is only a small difference in calcium on the written analysis between the 2 brands of feed but it is apparently just enough that I have to add more oyster shell to the dispenser. I use the 22% lay pellets. ($18.99/50#)
I prefer pelleted feed for all of my birds after they are 3 months old because of less dust & mess and no powdery leftovers. Do you not have a local feed store/co-op besides TSC?

 

[WingItRanch]

I had to switch to Kalmbach when my feed store switched over. (The prices were lower than Nutrena feeds.) This is the second time that I have used it and I find that my chickens' consumption of oyster shell goes up whenever I steady feed Kalmbach. There is only a small difference in calcium on the written analysis between the 2 brands of feed but it is apparently just enough that I have to add more oyster shell to the dispenser. I use the 22% lay pellets. ($18.99/50#)
I prefer pelleted feed for all of my birds after they are 3 months old because of less dust & mess and no powdery leftovers. Do you not have a local feed store/co-op besides TSC?

You know… I do have a local feed place but I haven’t been yet. (We just moved out to the country in February after years of dreaming). I’ll make a point to go this weekend!

I’ve heard people say their younger chickens refuse to eat pellets because they got used to the crumbles. Have you had any issues with them being picky?

 

[FrostRanger]

My girls have been eating the flock maker pellets since they were 3 1/2 weeks old. They're 20 1/2 weeks old now and they've been doing very well on it! I just make sure they have oyster shell on the side. Only 2 are laying rn (all the breeds I have tend to be late starters which I don't mind as it's better for them) but their eggs are perfect. Nice hard shells with good color and flavor. Their feathers are super soft too! You made an excellent feed choice!

 

[FrostRanger]

You know… I do have a local feed place but I haven’t been yet. (We just moved out to the country in February after years of dreaming). I’ll make a point to go this weekend!

I’ve heard people say their younger chickens refuse to eat pellets because they got used to the crumbles. Have you had any issues with them being picky?

How I switched them over is I mixed their leftover crumbles with the pellets. Eventually someone will get curious and figure out it's food

 

[WingItRanch]

I'll give it a shot! My girls don't seem super picky. I watched one of them at only 10 weeks old snatched a small frog and eat it. I couldn't decide if I was disturbed or impressed at the time!

I've settled on impressed.

 

[FrostRanger]

I'll give it a shot! My girls don't seem super picky. I watched one of them at only 10 weeks old snatched a small frog and eat it. I couldn't decide if I was disturbed or impressed at the time!

I've settled on impressed.

My girls go nuts over frogs and lizards. If one makes the mistake of coming in their run a game of keep away ensues
Chickens are omnivores and go nuts for any kind of meat

 

[StinkyAcres]

I had to switch to Kalmbach when my feed store switched over. (The prices were lower than Nutrena feeds.) This is the second time that I have used it and I find that my chickens' consumption of oyster shell goes up whenever I steady feed Kalmbach. There is only a small difference in calcium on the written analysis between the 2 brands of feed but it is apparently just enough that I have to add more oyster shell to the dispenser. I use the 22% lay pellets. ($18.99/50#)
I prefer pelleted feed for all of my birds after they are 3 months old because of less dust & mess and no powdery leftovers. Do you not have a local feed store/co-op besides TSC?

Interesting you mention that because mine have had very thin shells since switching to Kalmbach layer feed (I'm now switching back to Dumor because of that). They have access to oyster shell but it doesn't seem like they've touched it.

 

[AnnPann]

I have been feeding this to my flock for over a year and order it from Chewy too. However my last 5 bags have all been rotten. Made me gag when I opened the box. The feed looked fine, but smelled like rotten vegetables. It was very obvious something was wrong bc this feed usually smells like pizza to me! Chewy won’t tell me when they’ve replenished their warehouse stock, so I’m having to look for another source now.

For reference, here’s the code from the 5 bags of bad feed. Was made in January and Chewy has been shipping this batch since January (I still have all bags tags since then). Only the last 5 (of 12 or so) been rotten.

 

[WingItRanch]

I have been feeding this to my flock for over a year and order it from Chewy too. However my last 5 bags have all been rotten. Made me gag when I opened the box. The feed looked fine, but smelled like rotten vegetables. It was very obvious something was wrong bc this feed usually smells like pizza to me! Chewy won’t tell me when they’ve replenished their warehouse stock, so I’m having to look for another source now.

For reference, here’s the code from the 5 bags of bad feed. Was made in January and Chewy has been shipping this batch since January (I still have all bags tags since then). Only the last 5 (of 12 or so) been rotten.

View attachment 3903642

Oh wow! Thank you so much for the heads up. I already ordered my first bag and it should be delivered in the next few days. I'll let you know if it smells bad and matches your tag number. Yikes!