Feed?

[collegegardener]

I'm curious about what everyone feeds their flock. I have 5 hens over 20 weeks, 2 guineas, and a rooster over 20wks old in my flock. What feeds does everyone recommend?

 

[tcstoehr]

You're in the right forum. There's about a million threads discussing feeding choices. Take a look through there and you'll find quite a bit of information.

 

[Kelsie2290]

X2, there are a number of threads on feeding mixed flocks, this is a nice one with guineas and chickens (a lot is talking about starting with babies, but a number of posts also cover adults) https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...r-guineas-when-they-are-part-of-a-mixed-flock Most people seem to wind up feeding a Flock Raiser type food around 18%-20% protein with oyster shell on the side, or just feeding everybody Layer.

 

[collegegardener]

Thanks! So far I have just been feeding every layer and oyster shells on the side as well. They free range at least a couple hours everyday and get a variety of fruits & veggies as well. I just worry about the long term effects of the extra calcium on my rooster and guineas.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Long term effects of feeding excess calcium to roosters.
http://www.pjbs.org/ijps/fin1947.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20434855
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/2337/urolithiasis-in-male-broiler-breeders
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12530920
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10780656