Feed for picky mixed flock

[Arnolds2638]

I have 3 laying hens, and 5 “babies” at 2.5 months old. All officially moved in together and integrating well (ish). Had babies on starter crumble and they did fine. Hens with new country organics layer feed and they made a huge mess all over the coup. Added New country organic layer pellets and they just kick those out and take whatever is left of the more whole grain feed. It’s a mess. Now I need to get a non layer feed that is safe for my babies to eat. And hopefully that they alll eat instead of throw to the ground? At least they eat mostly at what they scavenge in the yard, (including snakes as pictured below!) but I’m tired of scooping up expensive feed for the compost!

 

[Brooks_]

Try an all flock crumble.

 

[nuthatched]

All Flock or Flock Raiser, oyster shell on the side. Don't mixed scratch with the feed, otherwise they pick out the scratch only.

 

[Arnolds2638]

Try an all flock crumble.

Thanks. Starter or grower? Not sure I know the difference.

 

[Arnolds2638]

All Flock or Flock Raiser, oyster shell on the side. Don't mixed scratch with the feed, otherwise they pick out the scratch only.

Thanks. Always have had oyster shell on side. In fact, have to add it to the compost pile because that is the only place they will eat it out of. Silly hens... have any suggestions on which feed specifically? Was trying to stick to organic and non-gmo but not hard and fast to that.

 

[Arnolds2638]

Thanks. Always have had oyster shell on side. In fact, have to add it to the compost pile because that is the only place they will eat it out of. Silly hens... have any suggestions on which feed specifically? Was trying to stick to organic and non-gmo but not hard and fast to that.

The second pic of them in the compost..

 

[Brooks_]

Thanks. Starter or grower? Not sure I know the difference.

Doesn't matter. Marketing terms. Just pick your protein level and about 1% calcium and go from there. Crumbles are easier for the little ones. Stick with the OS free choice for layers.

 

[nuthatched]

Thanks. Always have had oyster shell on side. In fact, have to add it to the compost pile because that is the only place they will eat it out of. Silly hens... have any suggestions on which feed specifically? Was trying to stick to organic and non-gmo but not hard and fast to that.

What ever had higher protein, I think flock raiser has 18% and all flock 17%, you can use organic chick feed, that's usually around 20%, it's also easier to get. right now, my chickens eat non medicated chick feed since I buy the cheapest non layer feed with the highest protein, this month it was the chick feed. sometimes it's game bird feed or feather fixer.

 

[3KillerBs]

If your chickens are scooping food out of their feeder try this traditional, metal feeder instead.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/in-praise-of-the-traditional-hanging-feeder.1452899/

As long as the ground isn't wet so that the spilled feed rots or molds you can simply not refill the feeder until the food on the ground has been eaten.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Starter or grower? Not sure I know the difference.

I feed all chickens after 10 weeks old a Non-medicated Starter-Grower crumble 18% Protein.
If you want to feed Organic to Non-laying Pullets and hens laying or not, look for a Starter-grower crumble with 18 to 20% Protein, and provide Oyster Shells separately.
My local TSC has 3 brands of organic Starter-grower feeds. Nature's Best, Purina, and DuMor. GC