Feed questions?

[Savyjoy]

Wondering what to feed our hens. They are about to start laying they are about 17 weeks old. I am new to chickens and wondering what to feed them. I have some layer pellets, chicken scratch and this feed from small pet select.

should I be feeding them just one of these? Offer all three? The small pet select good seems to be there favorite but I am not sure if it’s enough to be their main “dish”. Any advice or comments!? We greatly appreciate it!

I’ve added the ingredient list of the small pet select food they prefer.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Where are you located?
Layer pellets are fine, scratch is more a treat than feed (treats shouldn't be fed anymore than 10% of their actual feed). I stopped doing stage feeding, instead feed Flock Raiser (20%) in separate dishes I have a dish for grit, another for Oyster Shells. This way if you have chicks or Roos, there's no worry about them eating the layer feed. Layer feed has higher calcium which can/may cause liver/kidney damage to chicks/Roos.

 

[Savyjoy]

Where are you located?
Layer pellets are fine, scratch is more a treat than feed (treats shouldn't be fed anymore than 10% of their actual feed). I stopped doing stage feeding, instead feed Flock Raiser (20%) in separate dishes I have a dish for grit, another for Oyster Shells. This way if you have chicks or Roos, there's no worry about them eating the layer feed. Layer feed has higher calcium which can/may cause liver/kidney damage to chicks/Roos.

We are in California

 

[trumpeting_angel]

The label you posted describes a mixture of grains and pellets. Others who have used this type of feed have found that their hens eat their favorite grains and sometimes don’t eat the less-yummy. This can result in nutrient deficiencies, which can spell trouble for their health and problems with the eggs.

You can use a layer feed that is either crumbles or pellets, with very small doses of scratch, and grit on the side. Or you can use an all-flock feed and serve oyster shell and grit on the side (because all-flock has less calcium).

 

[Savyjoy]

The label you posted describes a mixture of grains and pellets. Others who have used this type of feed have found that their hens eat their favorite grains and sometimes don’t eat the less-yummy. This can result in nutrient deficiencies, which can spell trouble for their health and problems with the eggs.

You can use a layer feed that is either crumbles or pellets, with very small doses of scratch, and grit on the side. Or you can use an all-flock feed and serve oyster shell and grit on the side (because all-flock has less calcium).

Thank you so much very helpful!! Do you have any recommendations of an all flock? Thanks again!

 

[ChickNanny13]

Check with your feed store, do you have a TSC (Tractor Supply Co)? Flock Raiser is a Purina product, Nutrena has it's own think it's called All Flock. @Kiki did a comparison chart of alot of feeds, you may want to check it out .... https://www.backyardchickens.com/se...+Chart&t=ams_article&o=date&c[user][0]=371076

 

[Kiki]

I would not use the feed mentioned in your first post because it mentions whole grains.
I believe a pellet or crumble type feed is best because then the birds are not able to pick and choose which particular seeds or grain they want.
Picking and choosing can lead to an incomplete diet.

I also would not feed scratch...ever.

Stick to a pellet or crumble layer type feed.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

I don't have specific recommendations. I would buy whichever all-flock is the freshest!