Feed Questions

[AZGardenFarmer]

At what age should chicks be put on reg chicken food?¿

They're on Chick Starter now and eatting the ants that are stupid enough to walk thru their coop.

Also what stuff is good for them to eat?¿ I have 3 different breeds so do I need to buy, per breed recommended, food and mix it or ?¿

I'd like to get eggs that are healthy for me and my family as we use eggs in alot of stuff that I bake and make ~ ie waffles, corn bread, etc.

Is there anything they shouldnt eat?¿ My dog has spilt a lil dog food and they try to get it. But cant.

What about grass?¿ Im getting ready to spread some old horse manure as it produces grass here in Arizona. Is it safe for them or not?¿

Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!¡

 

[furbabymum]

horse manure grass is fine. I've got tons of that going on and they love to eat it up.

I saw on a different thread than some people allow small amounts of dog food.

Most people seem to think the Purina flock raiser or Purina feeds are the better ones.

Tons of threads about table scraps they can eat so stop into one and check it out!

 

[Fred's Hens]

There really isn't anything called "regular" chicken feed, that I'm aware of. There is feed for chicks called Starter, sometimes mediated, sometimes not.
Then there is something called Grower. Sometimes, all you can find is a combination Starter-Grower. That's fine too. That is what I use until 18 weeks.

There are also many feed companies that produce something call All Flock or Flock Raiser. It is usually slightly higher in protein and is able to be fed to birds of all ages, thus the name, All Flock.

Finally, there is Layer. Layer is also just regular feed, BUT... it is laced with high dose of calcium which a laying hen needs to make the egg shells everyday. Layer should NOT be fed to younger, pre-laying birds, as they've no way to rid their kidneys/renal tract of the all that calcium.

 

[Chris09]

What do you mean by "regular chicken feed"
Poultry feed comes either in the form of;
Starter,
Grower,
Finisher,
Starter/ Grower,
Layer,
Layer/ Breeder,
Multi-Flock

Starter --
A balanced feed meant as the sole ration for chicks from hatching to twelve weeks of age.
At 12 weeks of age the birds can be changed to Grower or Developer. Starter can be Medicated or Non-Medicated when Medicated it is with either Amprolium or Lasalocid. Starter is available in Mash, Crumble or Pellet form.

Stater/ Grower --
A balanced feed meant as the sole ration for chicks from hatching to chickens begin to lay, this feed can be Medicated or Non-Medicated. If medicated it will be with either Amprolium or Lasalocid. Starter/ Grower is available mostly in Crumble or Pellet form.

Grower --
Feed as the sole ration to chicks 12 weeks of age as a finisher. Grower feed is meant to feed until the chickens begin to lay, then bird can be switched to a complete Laying. Most Grower feed is Non-Medicated but some are Medicated with Bacitracin. Grower is mostly available in available in Crumble or Pellet form.

Finisher -- See above for Grower

Layer --
Feed as the sole diet to laying hens maximum production of eggs. Do not feed Layer feed to poultry, which are not in production because of the high calcium levels in the diet. This is particularly true of young growing birds. Layer is available in Mash, Crumble or Pellet form.

Layer/ Breeder --
Feed as the sole diet to laying hens and breeders for maximum production and for improved hatchability. Do not feed Layer feed to poultry, which are not in production because of the high calcium levels in the diet. This is particularly true of young growing birds. Layer/ Breeder is available in Pellet form.

Multi-Flock --
Feed as a sole diet to all ages of fowl and for the most part a pelleted feed.


Also the upside down question mark goes at the beginning of your question not at the end. As in ¿What do I feed?

Chris

 

[Contrary]

Layer should NOT be fed to younger, pre-laying birds, as they've no way to rid their kidneys/renal tract of the all that calcium.

Could you please post your source for this information? From what I've been reading there are other factors involved such as imbalances of Vitamin D3 and Phosphorous, and not just the calcium.

http://www.worldpoultry.net/background/kidney-damage-is-emerging-in-laying-hens-8719.html

 

[Chris09]

Could you please post your source for this information? From what I've been reading there are other factors involved such as imbalances of Vitamin D3 and Phosphorous, and not just the calcium.

http://www.worldpoultry.net/background/kidney-damage-is-emerging-in-laying-hens-8719.html

Note the heading of that article.
Kidney damage is emerging in laying hens. The key words being, "in laying hens" (hens that are laying)


Yes a Ca/P and D3 imbalance in adult hen can lead to Kidney damage along with problems but Fred was referring to bird not laying and in that age bracket D3 and P is most likely not going to be a problem or not as bad as a high amounts of Ca in there diet.


Chris

 

[Contrary]

Yes a Ca/P and D3 imbalance in adult hen can lead to Kidney damage along with problems but Fred was referring to bird not laying and in that age bracket D3 and P is most likely not going to be a problem or not as bad as a high amounts of Ca in there diet.


Chris

If you read the comments to the article you will see this:

This article is useful one.
In India we face the problem of gout in early life of broilers. Exact reason is unknown. Farmers try to improve management practices and nutritional management as suggested by experts. Still its a burning problem in India.
If you could send us some tips for prevention and treatment that may be helpful to us.

Regards
Dr. H.S.Karne at 19-10-2011 11:58

A broiler is not a layer, and they have similar problems. Could you please post your reference to high levels of calcium being a problem with pullets?