feed--Purina Layena or Dumor layer?

[Countrywife]

well, I am going opposite- I had fine layers on Dumor, and then TSC brought in Purina and I switched. I have had 3 eggs out of a dozen layers in a month. Just yesterday I bought Dumor again, so we will see. Also, I don't think my girls like pellets- which is the only way purina comes here, I honestly believe they prefer crumbles.

 

[Cara]

I don't understand the 'stinkier poop' subject that's usually brought up. Maybe in a small coop it's noticeable, i've never noticed a difference. The difference for me is the $$$; I bought feed from TSC over the weekend and Dumor had $1 off per bag coupons, and was already a dollar or so cheaper. It may not seem like much, but we go through twelve to fourteen bags a month.

On quality alone, Flock Raiser is by far the better product. I use it for raising big Orpingtons and it seems to make a great deal of difference. Once they're fully grown everybody gets Layena or Dumor.

Our nearest feedstore is an hour away however, and our nearest TSC is three hours away. The local feedstore only sells Purina and Hi Pro. Purina is far more expensive (as they are a small independently-owned business), approx $13.50 for Layena and $15-16 for Flock Raiser. Hi Pro is nasty nasty junk, not just the chicken feed but all of their animal feeds. It looks like half the bag is scrapings from the mill floor, it is dust. We live on a ranch with just under 100 horses, their grain bill is approx $800 a month in the winter, but Hi Pro is still not an option for them either since it is such poor quality. My chickens know the difference if that is all they have left, they will scratch it out of the feeder looking for something else and only eat it when they realise there is nothing else on offer.

 

[Cara]

Quote:
Our TSC had Layena crumbles which caught me out. I picked up two bags and didn't realise until I got it home, as the bags are identical other than the tags.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

I tried Layena for a while and started getting soft shelled eggs, even with oyster shell provided. Switched them back to Dumor layer pellets and no more soft shelled eggs (not having to supplement either.)

I'll stick with DuMor as long as TSC sells it.

 

[lildinkem]

I have birds who rather forage for their food, so the pellets works great for them. Others I have prefer the crumbles hands down. So, I guess let the bird make the decision. Both are very good. One point to consider, is the Purina feed is designed for the birds the huge chicken plants use. Not necessarily the best for ALL types of chickens. I would go with what works for the chicken. And still supplement when you can with treats of protein. Like meat, cat food.

 

[Barred Rocker]

My hens seem to lay well either way but they definitely seem to prefer the layena crumbles over the dumor. I've noticed a definite increase in consumption since switching, guess that's a good thing.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

Wish I had seen this post yesterday before we bought the Dumor at TSC.
Now... I compared labels in the store. ( Forgive me, label is out in the cold feed shed at the moment) If i read the labels correctly, I thought the Dumore had a better grain ingredient listed first on the label, rather than Layeena. Layeena listed grain byproducts first, and grain second. The percentages of items seemed identical.
Time to research this a bit more!

 

[they'reHISchickens]

For Layeena-- from TSC web page
Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein (min.) 16.00%, Fat (min.) 2.50%, Calcium (Ca) (min.) 3.25%, Lysine (min.) 0.55%, Methionine (min.) 0.25%, Calcium (Ca) (max.) 4.25%, Fiber (max.) 7.00%, Phosphorus (P) (min.) 0.50%, Vitamin A 3,000 IU/lb, Vitamin E 10.50 IU/lb .

For Dumore-- from TSC web page
Ingredients: Crude Protein (min) 16.000%, Lysine (min) .7200%, Methionine (min) .3300%, Crude Fat (min) 2.5000%, Crude Fiber (max) 5.5000%, Calcium (min) 1.3500%, Calcium (max) 1.8500%, Phosphorus (min) .4500%, Salt (min) .2000%, Salt (max) .5000%

Can't seem to find any listing of the actual ingredients like are on the tag.
I could have sworn the calcium listings on the two tags I checked were identical because I was concerned about the calcium each supplied. This makes me wonder if the web site listing is even accurate. We all know they can change formulas without any notification at any time.

 

[hinkjc]

I think I remember reading that Purina makes both feeds. Dumor was originally made by Purina for TSC before they could carry a Purina labeled brand.

 

[artsyrobin]

has anyone used Orschelns brand layer feed, been looking for info and can't find it online- its called Country Lane, after reading the thread I might try the Layena, do you need to change feed gradually?