Chick Grower? Flock Raiser? All Flock?

[Chris09]

I have a huge white rock rooster that is probably between 4-6 years old, and he has eaten laying pellets as long as there have been hens around old enough to need it...and he has not one issue...So laying pellets won't hurt your rooster. I also give ACV in all the water...
I have just recently decided to give the flock raiser a try and see how it goes. My hens ate a lot of chick food for a few weeks and their eggs were all larger, and their shells were no softer...so...I bought a bag of 20% flock raiser this time...I am getting ready to order a few ducks and turkeys, so when they are here they will get the flock raiser, and I think I will just mix the flock raiser and laying pellets for the chickens...I think that will make everything perfect. Enough calcium, and more protein so I can keep getting those larger eggs.

We personally eat our extra roosters...so no worries there. I think you might be a little over protective...

One of the reasons your rooster may not have show issues is the fact that your adding ACV in there water, The ACV was neutralizing the Calcium.

Chris

 

[Chris09]

Hi hope I'm not getting off track here but I was just told that it is not safe to eat eggs from hens fed medicated feed. I am new to keeping chickens and have read quite a lot on this site but have not come across this before.

I had recently introduced 2 younger Peking bantams to my existing flock so changed back to feeding all the girls medicated grower. Does this effect the eggs being laid by the older hens? Are they okay to eat?

Quote: Who ever told you this knows nothing about chickens and how a medicated chick feed works.

Starter --
A balanced feed meant as the sole ration for chicks from hatching to twelve weeks of age.
At 12 weeks of age the birds can be changed to Grower or Developer. Starter can be Medicated or Non-Medicated when Medicated it is with either Amprolium or Lasalocid. Starter is available in Mash, Crumble or Pellet form.


Amprolium - which goes by the trade names Corid and Amprovine, Amprolium, Amprol, Anticoccid and is a thiamine analog, competitively inhibits the active transport of thiamine (B1). Amprolium is used in the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis.

Lasalocid - goes by the trade name Bovatec. Bovatec (lasalocid) is a coccidiocide that kills coccidia. It is an ionophore that moves potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium into the cell causing the cell to burst. Bovatec works primarily on a single developmental stage of coccidia, providing a more narrow range of action than Deccox.

Amprolium and Lasalocid stays within the digestive system, neither product will not enter the egg of the fowl.


Chris

 

[pbjls]

in my opinion the best way to feed a mixed flock is to use two feeders. one with a well balanced feed that is as fresh as possible and has about 16% protien for chickens and up to 18 if waterfoul or turkeys are also part of the same flock. the other with oystershell. If you do not offer calcium free choice to layers and the only source is in the feed then they offten will over eat feed just to get the calcium. if the birds have access to roam then they should only need fresh water in addition to the feeders. if not then grit should be offered as well. I chose not to medicate unless there is a specific issue that needs to be treated. fresh feed, clean water, warm shelter, and room to roam make for little stress and few health issues.

I feed chicks an unmedicated feed as well. I put grit in the brooder for the chicks because their first line of defence is a healthy crop. I also put probiotics in our feed to help insure a healthy gut. finally my brooders have two heat lamps with a thermostat to regulate temp, a fan to keep air circulated, and pellett bedding that breaks down but stays dry. 25 chicks in a 2ftx6ft brooder with one bag of bedding in this system and the bedding is still dry at three weeks. the used bedding material also makes wondefull compost.

 

[Chris09]

in my opinion the best way to feed a mixed flock is to use two feeders. one with a well balanced feed that is as fresh as possible and has about 16% protien for chickens and up to 18 if waterfoul or turkeys are also part of the same flock. the other with oystershell. If you do not offer calcium free choice to layers and the only source is in the feed then they offten will over eat feed just to get the calcium. if the birds have access to roam then they should only need fresh water in addition to the feeders. if not then grit should be offered as well. I chose not to medicate unless there is a specific issue that needs to be treated. fresh feed, clean water, warm shelter, and room to roam make for little stress and few health issues.

I feed chicks an unmedicated feed as well. I put grit in the brooder for the chicks because their first line of defence is a healthy crop. I also put probiotics in our feed to help insure a healthy gut. finally my brooders have two heat lamps with a thermostat to regulate temp, a fan to keep air circulated, and pellett bedding that breaks down but stays dry. 25 chicks in a 2ftx6ft brooder with one bag of bedding in this system and the bedding is still dry at three weeks. the used bedding material also makes wondefull compost.

Quote: Chicken eat to fill there energy needs, when that need is met they stop eating. They do not eat to fill other need like Calcium, Proteins, Fats or anything else.



Quote: I will also add that your numbers here are at the very low end of the "protein scale" for poultry.
On the average a laying/breeding fowl should be on a 18 to 20 percent protein feed at least. (18% for laying/breeding hens (at least) and 20% for laying/breading waterfowl and turkeys)
A 16% feed for chickens and 18% feed for waterfowl and turkeys is nothing more than a grower/ conditioner feed.


Chris

 

[pbjls]

I disagree whole heartedly

 

[GreenMountainEric]

Chicken eat to fill there energy needs, when that need is met they stop eating. They do not eat to fill other need like Calcium, Proteins, Fats or anything else.

Chris

It is true that chickens are energy eaters, but they most certainly seek out their requirements for calcium and protein. They will get those things any way they can, if they need it..... including 1) eating grain when they dont need any more energy, in order to utilize any calcium or protein in it. 2) Foraging for available cal or protein. 3) Cannabilism

 

[Chris09]

It is true that chickens are energy eaters, but they most certainly seek out their requirements for calcium and protein. They will get those things any way they can, if they need it..... including 1) eating grain when they dont need any more energy, in order to utilize any calcium or protein in it. 2) Foraging for available cal or protein. 3) Cannabilism

Do you have the studies to back your post. If so post them, keep in mind that there are a few people on here with a degree in livestock nutrition so they will need to be good reliable studies.

Chris

 

[GreenMountainEric]

Do you have the studies to back your post. If so post them, keep in mind that there are a few people on here with a degree in livestock nutrition.


Chris

I am one of them.... And I specialize in poultry nutrition. I don't need studies to back this information. Ask the average person who has raised poultry for years......

 

[Chris09]

Quote:

I will also add that the numbers here are at the very low end of the "protein scale" for poultry.
On the average a laying/breeding fowl should be on a 18 to 20 percent protein feed at least. (18% for laying/breeding hens (at least) and 20% for laying/breading waterfowl and turkeys)
A 16% feed for chickens and 18% feed for waterfowl and turkeys is nothing more than a grower/ conditioner feed.

Chris

 

[Chris09]

I am one of them.... And I specialize in poultry nutrition. I don't need studies to back this information. Ask the average person who has raised poultry for years......

With out the studies word mean nothing.
I know Lazy J specializes in poultry nutrition and works for/with Hubbard Feed maybe he can/will jump in and post his thoughts also.



Quote: For? Most of the "average people" still believe that corn will make the poultry "hot".

Chris