Feed Comparision Advice

[BlessedChaosHomestead]

We feed TM NatureCrest Layer. Its corn/soy free. No gmos.
16.5% protein.

After processing our Bresse Roos, and getting as little as 1lb of meat off one of the bigger ones, I asked my local group some questions.
Plus did some minor research on my part.

If to fatten chickens up for meat purpose, you need corn or soy- wouldn’t that mean it would help them on a day to day basis also?

I was thinking of trying Kalmbach’s no gmo feed on my leghorn group just to see if there was a difference because most of my older girls and my rooster have ratty feathering now. The girls get rooster damage & even if I separate them, they stay that way.
Which made me wonder if they might could do better on a feed with corn/soy.

Anyone had any thoughts/advice on that?

We market our eggs as no soy/corn/gmo but I would be willing to change that, if it helped our girls out better. But I’m not sure if they need more protein or fat or both.

 

[Altairsky]

Corn and soy can be replaced with other things. Would help to know the exact ingredients of the feed.
I think the proteins in the feed you're using are not of enough quality.
I would try to integrate their diet with the following extras:
-peas
-cowpeas
-yoghurt
-sunflower seeds
-cooked fish or organ meat
-boiled egg

 

[BlessedChaosHomestead]

Corn and soy can be replaced with other things. Would help to know the exact ingredients of the feed.
I think the proteins in the feed you're using are not of enough quality.
I would try to integrate their diet with the following extras:
-peas
-cowpeas
-yoghurt
-sunflower seeds
-cooked fish or organ meat
-boiled egg

https://tuckermilling.com/product-items/naturecrest-layer-pellet/

I love the natural oils, and probiotics in their food. I just wish they had a higher fat/protein all flock type feed.

 

[Altairsky]

They already put animal protein in the recipe. Though it's really low in fat IMHO.
I suggest to integrate sunflower seeds, hemp seeds for extra fats and organ meat for aminoacids. Fatty yoghurt is also a good idea.

 

[BlessedChaosHomestead]

They already put animal protein in the recipe. Though it's really low in fat IMHO.
I suggest to integrate sunflower seeds, hemp seeds for extra fats and organ meat for aminoacids. Fatty yoghurt is also a good idea.

Exactly.

But if I start supplementing that, I’m losing the savings I get w that brand & might as well go up to Kalmbach because it has higher protein/fat content.

I’m gonna see how my leghorns do on the Kalmbach meatbird feed for a couple weeks. See if that increase helps them in anyway.

 

[FrostRanger]

Know that you won't see any improvement in feather quality until after everyone molts. It also might be worth reconsidering that particular roo since he's rough on the hens. I'd still switch to higher protein as it certainly will help long term, but just know what it can and can't do

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I am very limited for time tonight, and typing on my kindle (like a slow cell phone w/o Voice to Text). Also familiar w/ the TM product line. I've used some in the past.

Your question deserves a long answer so you can understand what you've done wrong, what challenges you face going forward, and can then make better decisions for yourself and your circumstances in the future.

But it will be this weekend before I have the time to do so.

 

[BlessedChaosHomestead]

Know that you won't see any improvement in feather quality until after everyone molts. It also might be worth reconsidering that particular roo since he's rough on the hens. I'd still switch to higher protein as it certainly will help long term, but just know what it can and can't do

This is the 4th roo that’s been with the hens. All are fine first year, young pullet. Then they start getting “rooster damage”. But the rooster also has feather damage in tail feathers so to me that is diet.

Leghorns were with an Orp roo & EE roo.
Orp sold just the EE. Then added in Bresse roo. Separated all leghorns because had a roo of them. Roo #1 for a month. Chose the larger of the 2 swapped out so LH roo #2 is with them now.

My Americana/EE hens have the most damage aside from leghorns. But as I stated, it’s after their molt.
I had a BO hen last year that was almost barebacked. I separated her for awhile, molted & still had issues.

 

[BlessedChaosHomestead]

I am very limited for time tonight, and typing on my kindle (like a slow cell phone w/o Voice to Text). Also familiar w/ the TM product line. I've used some in the past.

Your question deserves a long answer so you can understand what you've done wrong, what challenges you face going forward, and can then make better decisions for yourself and your circumstances in the future.

But it will be this weekend before I have the time to do so.

Umm…okay ?? lol

 

[SourRoses]

Layer feed is not correct for growing meat birds... or for the growth stage of any birds. The purpose of Layer feed is for hens that are laying.
At around 4% calcium, it can cause health problems for roosters (and juveniles of both genders, and hens that are not laying). Healthy growth of bones requires minerals to be in balance... an excess of one can cause deficiency of others.

At merely 16.5% protein, is is not enough to support the genetic potential for meat growth.
Feed formulated for meat birds contains 24% protein or close to it.
Feed formulated for growing chickens contains 20% protein or close to it.
Personally, I treat 20% as the bare minimum for growing out any chicken.