Dog food for chickens.

[Soon2BChixMom]

Interesting how this thread turned a bit.
I am a dog food snob- as my dogs only get the best for their needs. It seems the op has done their research with their dog food as well.
I am only chiming in because I will not feed my dogs purina or most of the dog products found in a regular store. However, I am feeding my chickens (and now ducks) purina brand food. The local mills seem to only have laying feed and I need all flock.
Ironic how I shunned a product for one species but not the other.

 

[Chasingcars]

I honestly think my free ranging hens dig up and eat worse things than a bit of dog food on a daily basis..sometimes I wonder why I bother buying organic poultry food!

 

[Lorli]

So I finally gave them some of the dog food today - and they wouldn't eat it.

 

[Lorli]

Off topic but related: I am running low on chick starter/grower and won't be able to get to the feed store right away. The chicks are about a month old (hatched 2/21). Can I mix some layer pellets and/or scratch feed in with the starter that's left? I can put it through the blender first.

 

[Folly's place]

It would be best to get to that feed store, and get more starter feed, or an all-flock feed. Otherwise, do the mix with the layer feed, short term only.
About Purina; the livestock feed division is separate from the pet food division. I too feed my dogs and cats something else, but Flock Raiser is a good chicken diet, IMO.
I also feed my horses Ultium.
Mary

 

[Beer can]

Off topic but related: I am running low on chick starter/grower and won't be able to get to the feed store right away. The chicks are about a month old (hatched 2/21). Can I mix some layer pellets and/or scratch feed in with the starter that's left? I can put it through the blender first.

Food is good, no food is bad. They will be fine with that, it's OK...
I have a 20 mile round trip to get feed when I run out and can't always get it done, I work, have many kids, chickens eat it and love it, whatever I give them. Some days they may have to eat the same thing I have for breakfast, scrambled eggs and grits, probably better for them than the feed.
I'm not one to feed chicks treats, they do not need them, feed them food so they grow good and healthy and fast.
I have had broodies hatch and left the chicks on the same layer feed, grew just fine and no probs. I DO NOT RECOMMEND this, but you will see no difference.
Same thing as starter/grower, just less protein and has some extra calcium, and short term no big deal at all.