Feed Analysis Please

[BlueDawnRising]

Opinions on which is best? Both are available at my local feed store. I have been feeding Egg Popper with Super Coop as “scratch.” They have free choice oyster shell and grit available at all times and get a small handful of BSFL when I call them in from free ranging most evenings. They also eat fruit and veggie scraps when I have them. I thought about mixing the two but would like opinions before I do! Thanks in advance!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

The deBuhr Super Coop is the superior feed - better Methionine and Lysine numbers, slightly greater crude protein (which doesn't matter as much as the AA profile). Calcium is fine for moderate egg layers. Prime production breeds will need more. Your free choice calcium (oyster shell) addresses that need perfectly.

and while I'd like to see 0.5% Phos, 0.45% is perfectly adequate, and better than the 0.4% considered to be a minimum recommend.

Both of course are layer feeds, I wouldn't raise hatchlings on either.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

The deBuhr Super Coop is the superior feed - better Methionine and Lysine numbers, slightly greater crude protein (which doesn't matter as much as the AA profile). Calcium is fine for moderate egg layers. Prime production breeds will need more. Your free choice calcium (oyster shell) addresses that need perfectly.

and while I'd like to see 0.5% Phos, 0.45% is perfectly adequate, and better than the 0.4% considered to be a minimum recommend.

Both of course are layer feeds, I wouldn't raise hatchlings on either.

I’m still befuddled about the top two ingredients in the second one being “Grain Products” and “Processed Grain By-Products.”

Umm, ok?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

If you wanted to mix the two you can - you will have a feed that's not as good as the first, slightly better than the other (which is perfectly adequate as a layer feed, but not more than that.)

I doubt the cost savings mixing the two are worth the effort. Unless the first is substantially (substantial by your definition, not mine - mine doesn't matter, its your money) more expensive than the second, just feed the first. If cost is your primary concern, feed the second.

and for perspective. I have dual purpose birds I use for eggs and meat. They aren't pets. I hatch my own. If the first bag was $15/50#, and the second was $13.25/50#, I'd feed the first. If the difference in price was more than 15%? I'd feed the second.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I’m still befuddled about the top two ingredients in the second one being “Grain Products” and “Processed Grain By-Products.”

Umm, ok?

Economy feeds are often labeled like that - the mill takes whatever is inexpensive and local, combines it with whatever grain byproducts they need to to "juice" the mix into the desired nutritional range (soy meal, alfalfa meal, peanut meal, corn gluten meal, wheat middlins, etc etc etc etc etc) and throws it in a bag.

I use a mix with a similar label myself. and pay under $13/50# for my layer feed. Even my "expensive" 24% protein, 1.1% lys, 0.45% met "game bird" mix is under $17/50# at present.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Economy feeds are often labeled like that - the mill takes whatever is inexpensive and local, combines it with whatever grain byproducts they need to to "juice" the mix into the desired nutritional range (soy meal, alfalfa meal, peanut meal, corn gluten meal, wheat middlins, etc etc etc etc etc) and throws it in a bag.

I use a mix with a similar label myself. and pay under $13/50# for my layer feed. Even my "expensive" 24% protein, 1.1% lys, 0.45% met "game bird" mix is under $17/50# at present.

That’s interesting! I had an image of someone sweeping up the spillings off the ground at the grain mill at the end of a long day.

 

[BlueDawnRising]

The deBuhr Super Coop is the superior feed - better Methionine and Lysine numbers, slightly greater crude protein (which doesn't matter as much as the AA profile). Calcium is fine for moderate egg layers. Prime production breeds will need more. Your free choice calcium (oyster shell) addresses that need perfectly.

and while I'd like to see 0.5% Phos, 0.45% is perfectly adequate, and better than the 0.4% considered to be a minimum recommend.

Both of course are layer feeds, I wouldn't raise hatchlings on either.

I am feeding 19 layers only right now that are 6-8 months old. Thanks for replying!

 

[BlueDawnRising]

If you wanted to mix the two you can - you will have a feed that's not as good as the first, slightly better than the other (which is perfectly adequate as a layer feed, but not more than that.)

I doubt the cost savings mixing the two are worth the effort. Unless the first is substantially (substantial by your definition, not mine - mine doesn't matter, its your money) more expensive than the second, just feed the first. If cost is your primary concern, feed the second.

and for perspective. I have dual purpose birds I use for eggs and meat. They aren't pets. I hatch my own. If the first bag was $15/50#, and the second was $13.25/50#, I'd feed the first. If the difference in price was more than 15%? I'd feed the second.

I didn’t know they had the Super Coop in 50 pound bags until a mixup with my latest order. I have only had layers for a few months and would ask for layer feed. The Super Coop was always sold in small, clear bags without a label so I assumed it was more for scratch, not a complete feed. The reason for mixing is because I have 50 lbs of each right now. Moving forward I will ask for the Super Coop instead of layer pellets. This is my first flock and I am still learning all the things, this for sure included! The first bag is just under $15 and this one is $25. I don’t mind the price difference if it is actually superior feed. Aesthetically, it LOOKED better but I didn’t want to go off of that alone! Anything with ingredients I can identify by sight feels better to feed them but also didn’t want to just give them “treats.” Thanks for your reply!