Chick Starter? Flock Raiser? Layer Pellets?

[WhetzelMomma]

I use a feed that is supposed to be for all ages. Layers, chicks... everyone. Can't think of the name of the top of my head. I get it at our local Co-Op.

 

[Cluckhead]

I just introduced my 18 week old girls to my adults. I'm putting both starter and Layena out so I hope that's ok. I only have one hen house big enough for all of them to roost. The smaller one I built is really small now that the "chicks" are big.

Should I worry?

 

[Jx2inNC]

Chicks really don't need to be on Starter after 10 weeks, as there isn't much reason for them to be, especially if it is medicated feed. Won't hurt them likely, but not necessary.

On the other hand, the smaller chickens eating Grower or what you called Flock Raiser, really should not hurt them. Unless you are providing unnecessarily high amounts of calcium (or they are very young chicks), you should not see any adverse effects.

With a quality feed, providing a reasonable amount of calcium, you should not need oyster shells or extra calcium additives. That goes more with incomplete diet feeding, like scratch and corn and fruit and vegetable scraps.

 

[harleyjo]

Do they eat more of the Purina Layer because their is no animal protein in it? The reason I ask is that I had mine on Kent feeds, Multi flock for a bag because I had mixed ages and one duck. Then they went to Purina layer and I swear they are eating more.

 

[Jx2inNC]

Quote:
I'm not sure, but I'd imagine if one had more "filler" than the other it is definitely possible.

Kind of like Purina's dog food. The first ingredient is corn, which does virtually nothing for the dog and doesn't really get digested. A dog food with whole grain and meat by-products can definitely reduce the amount of food needed -- as more gets absorbed during digestion.

I can't factually answer your question with those brands though; I'd have to look into it.

 

[Morgan7782]

I am in the same boat with 3 different age groups. Mine range from 19 weeks to 26 or 27 weeks with about a month gap between ages. I am keeping them all on flockraiser and will offer oyester shell once somebody starts laying. In my livestock feeding class we learned about a few minerals that are lacking in layer feed and are more plentiful in grower/finisher feed like flockraiser. No issues here so far!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Quote:

Me either. I've been feeding it for a good 3 years now.

 

[NellaBean]

I found a local "gamebird breeder" feed. 20% protein. Not sure if it has extra calcium or not. I feed that to everyone. No egg problems, no baby problems. Extra protein for the birds and no complications from 1 feed here, 1 feed there, etc etc.

 

[featherbaby]

Does anyone use Calf Manna (by Manna pro) as a protein booster with their regular feed? What proportion do you use?

 

[Jx2inNC]

Quote:
Sounds similar in general to what I am using. It is a custom breeder feed made for a local farm fellow and sold through our co-op.
They have had better results feeding this to all of the birds than starter/grower to the small, laying mash to the older, etc.
Nice!