Feed brand or feed content?

[Hopeful homesteader]

A lot of people here feed 18-20% all-flock feed with oystershell on the side.

Your chickens may pick up enough grit from the ground in their run, but it doesn't hurt to offer a dish. It doesn't spoil and a healthy adult won't overeat it.

Locally all I've found is 18% for chick starter, I even praised a Cornish X on it. He didn't get as big as he could have with high protein feed but I think in the long run it kept him healthier to be able to handle the heat without any complications. He was more active than what's typical for that breed as well. I didn't know that's what he was when we bought him but he was tasty nonetheless.

 

[3KillerBs]

Locally all I've found is 18% for chick starter, I even praised a Cornish X on it. He didn't get as big as he could have with high protein feed but I think in the long run it kept him healthier to be able to handle the heat without any complications. He was more active than what's typical for that breed as well. I didn't know that's what he was when we bought him but he was tasty nonetheless.

Chick starter is fine for adults.

 

[Hopeful homesteader]

Chick starter is fine for adults.

I had just read that in another post. I was considering signing up for an all flock to be auto ordered and delivered once a month if it's more cost efficient but most aren't old enough to be off starter so I wasn't worrying about it yet. I have cockerels that cant have layer feed and I'm doing dual purpose so I anticipate ending up with more cockerels periodically and they'll just go to the pot when they're big enough and supplement oyster/egg shell's for the layers. Trying to plan ahead without getting too far ahead of myself.

 

[Folly's place]

It's easiest to feed an all flock or other similar feed which can include unmedicated chick starter, to all the birds all the time. If medicated chick started is needed for the babies, do that, but then transition them to what the entire flock is eating when they are ready for unmedicated.
And which feed exactly depends on what's available fresh where you shop!
Mary

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I had just read that in another post. I was considering signing up for an all flock to be auto ordered and delivered once a month if it's more cost efficient but most aren't old enough to be off starter so I wasn't worrying about it yet. I have cockerels that cant have layer feed and I'm doing dual purpose so I anticipate ending up with more cockerels periodically and they'll just go to the pot when they're big enough and supplement oyster/egg shell's for the layers. Trying to plan ahead without getting too far ahead of myself.

If you can get your All Flock as a Crumble you can raise your hatchlings on it, too. Only disadvantage is that its not typically medicated. Some people want medicated feed for their new birds, some don't.

That's a very personal, and situation dependent decision. Best answer depends on conditions and needs - but if your All Flock is a crumble, and the consumption is regular, no reason not to autoship if its cheaper/convenient. Beats loading up the trailer and driving for 500# of feed every month or so.

 

[Folly's place]

For the first time ever, one of our August chicks had blood in her feces, of course on the weekend! I treated the chicks with Corid, and all is well in the group. Didn't want to wait for a fecal test, so made a 'best guess'.
It's been very wet and hot here, until this week, adding stress to the chicks, and great conditions for the coccidia.
Next spring I'll be feeding the new chicks medicated feed for probably nine or ten weeks...
Mary

 

[U_Stormcrow]

For the first time ever, one of our August chicks had blood in her feces, of course on the weekend! I treated the chicks with Corid, and all is well in the group. Didn't want to wait for a fecal test, so mad a 'best guess'.
It's been very wet and hot here, until this week, adding stress to the chicks, and great conditions for the coccidia.
Next spring I'll be feeding the new chicks medicated feed for probably nine or ten weeks...
Mary

glad you caught it quick and had a good outcome. Yes, a CORID dose at the first sign is almost certainly lower risk than waiting on confirmation first. Heartily agree.

 

[Brooks_]

If you can get your All Flock as a Crumble you can raise your hatchlings on it, too

I am doing just that with Purina flock raiser. It is convenient to buy just one for all. According to the website it is available in pellets as well.

Only disadvantage is that its not typically medicated

I have not seen it, but the website says it is available as a medicated formula.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I am doing just that with Purina flock raiser. It is convenient to buy just one for all. According to the website it is available in pellets as well.

I have not seen it, but the website says it is available as a medicated formula.

That's why I say "typically". I've never seen it either, but They, and several other of the "big brands" all claim to have Medicated All Flock-type feeds. I've just never seen them on the shelf.

OTOH, my local mill, seems like EVERYTHING is medicated. My other local mill is generally better ingredients across the board, slightly more expensive, and in some cases either non-GMO, no Soy, and or Organic in most cases, but none of its medicated, and in spite of the labeled nutritional info, my birds don't seem to perform as well on it. Though that could be the goats eating more bird feed (I know itsbad for them) than they used to.

 

[Folly's place]

Folks can only hope that small local mills actually test their ingredients, and the finished products, for the nutritional profiles on their labels. How much oversight is actually present to be sure in every case? It might be worthwhile to find out!
Mary