Feed flustered...

[chickens really]

Grower feed...Its 18% protein...Look on the bags of feed..Not Starter feed for Chicks...People get mixed up because some manufacturers call it starter/ grower..Just Grower..

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Scratch grains have there place.... I use them to lure the chickens inside the coop when I need them to hurry. Other than that I do not give them any.

Gary

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Grower feed...Its 18% protein...Look on the bags of feed..Not Starter feed for Chicks...People get mixed up because some manufacturers call it starter/ grower..Just Grower..

Oh I understand now. Thanks. The feed that I purchased is 17%... Can I continue to use that or should I donate it and purchase new feed?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I only rescued the birds yesterday...well 4 of them. I'm going to attempt to get Bashful tonight. She eluded my efforts last night.

When you say you "feed Grower at 18%" what does that mean?

Grower, Layer, Flock raiser, all flock, starter, finisher... all just words to make the feed market confusing. Different words used by different companies. What matters is the nutrient levels.

So the 18% is referring to the amount of protein. To me, there are two key factors... protein and calcium.

I use flock raiser which is 20% protein and 1% calcium... partly because of the kidney issue mentioned... if fed long term to non layers, Like chicks, juveniles, roosters, or molting/broody hens. But I find that to be more likely in those who are predisposed to kidney issues. Note more than 30% protein can cause another form of the same problem.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Oh I understand now. Thanks. The feed that I purchased is 17%... Can I continue to use that or should I donate it and purchase new feed?

I would use it. Do you have any idea how old the birds are? Queenie looks like she could be laying or getting ready to at least.

 

[chickens really]

Oh I understand now. Thanks. The feed that I purchased is 17%... Can I continue to use that or should I donate it and purchase new feed?

I would get Grower or an all flock feed at higher protein 18% is the lowest I would use...
@oldhenlikesdogs can help with that...we pretty much do the same for our Birds although I'm in Canada and have access to different feed suppliers...

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Protein is 17%. I get that. But....down the list of ingredients is a Calcium Min of 3.3 and a Calcium Max of 4.3. What the heck does that mean??? I'm really sorry about being a blooming idiot with this.

 

[chickens really]

Protein is 17%. I get that. But....down the list of ingredients is a Calcium Min of 3.3 and a Calcium Max of 4.3. What the heck does that mean??? I'm really sorry about being a blooming idiot with this. View attachment 1168279

If not layers the calcium is too high....your not an idiot...Your asking for help...Idiots don't ask...

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

I would use it. Do you have any idea how old the birds are? Queenie looks like she could be laying or getting ready to at least.

I have no idea how old they are for sure. They showed up at work. Some assclown must of dumped them off here at work. I've been caring for them at work for 3 weeks (feeding them Multi-grain Cheerios and Raisin Bran) before I decided to rescue them. I did a whirlwind tour of Ag Centers and hardware stores this weekend to get a home built and actual chicken food. I didn't realize the depth of the feed requirements and such until I began reading the forums....

 

[Rubysword]

Quick note about feed placement-you'll want to hang both the feed and the water, because if you don't, there will be poop in both of them. With the water-chickens can be dehydrated easily if their water isn't clean. Right now that isn't as much of an issue, but this summer we learned it the hard way. So make sure the water is clean. I would agree that it might be a good idea to get oyster shell.