Crumble or pellets ?

[kyron4]

My daughters laying hens and turkeys are about 6 weeks old and I'm down to the bottom of the chick grower feed bag. The farm store has layer pellets and layer crumble, but the descriptions on both bags are the same. What's the difference and what do I get ? My current feeder is a gravity type with multiple ports" -Thanks

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

At six weeks they are not ready to eat layer yet, they need a starter grower. What brand do you feed?

 

[DobieLover]

I would switch them to an 18-20% protein All Flock or Flock Raiser type of feed and be done with it. They would never have to have their feed switched again. Just offer oyster shell in a separate container at 16 weeks. The layers will eat it when they need it.
I ferment my feed so I have essentially zero waste.
I imagine crumble may be harder to bill out of a gravity feeder than pellets.

 

[Timothy Menezes]

I would definitely buy another bag of starter. They won't be ready for Layer (doesn't matter whether its crumble or pellet) until they are about 18 weeks old. As a side note, turkeys generally require much higher protein than chicks, hoping they are heritage birds and not production breed birds. Chick starter is generally 18 to 20 percent protein. Turkey starter is more like 24 to 30 percent.

 

[kyron4]

They also free range most days 6 to 8 hours. So stick with the chick starter till 18 weeks ?

 

[Timothy Menezes]

I would switch them to an 18-20% protein All Flock or Flock Raiser type of feed and be done with it. They would never have to have their feed switched again. Just offer oyster shell in a separate container at 16 weeks. The layers will eat it when they need it.
I ferment my feed so I have essentially zero waste.
I imagine crumble may be harder to bill out of a gravity feeder than pellets.

Dobielover has a valid point, since they are 6 to 8 weeks old at this point, a Flock Raiser makes sense. The turkeys should have been on a high protein diet for the first 8 weeks or so, but now its possible to switch them to a flock raiser type diet.

 

[kyron4]

At six weeks they are not ready to eat layer yet, they need a starter grower. What brand do you feed?

Nutrena

 

[kyron4]

I saw a bag of "All Flock" but nothing called flock raiser. Who makes that ?

 

[Timothy Menezes]

Either continuing with a starter, or a flock raiser is equally appropriate, but don't do a layer until they are ready to start laying at about 18 weeks for the chickens. The turkeys will probably be better suited to sticking with a starter or flock raiser and having calcium on the side for the layer hens as the turkeys won't need the high calcium layer ration.

 

[Timothy Menezes]

Oh, Flock Raiser is Purina, All Flock is Nutrena. Same thing from different companies.

As far as crumbles vs pellets, doesn't matter. Flock Raiser is available in both, All Flock is only pellets. Whatever works better for you.