Feeds

[Clukcluks]

I'm almost next door to a Tractor Supply chain and close to a feed store. Can I get some help, information, options on Tractor Supply chicken feeds. They have several Brands, products online, cost-effective $$ choices etc. . Who out there uses TS for there Quality chicken supplies.

 

[FrostRanger]

I'd go with a 20% all flock with oyster shell on the side. Works for all ages and laying statuses. Brand doesn't matter all that much as long as the nutrition is good

 

[nuthatched]

I like nutrena, personally. Smells great.

 

[Clukcluks]

I'd go with a 20% all flock with oyster shell on the side. Works for all ages and laying statuses. Brand doesn't matter all that much as long as the nutrition is good

I'm new to this, so I'm about to go purchase about 5 pulletsan not sure what to feed them. Scratch, pelleted, layer crumbles etc.. I'm not trying to put TS in a bad way.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've used TS, another small Illinois chain (Farm and Home) across the road from them, a closer mom and pop feed store and others.
Farm and Home is a little lower priced for many of the same products. What is good about both of them, at least the stores by me, is that they tend to take steps to move older product.
As @FrostRanger said, there isn't a great deal of difference in brands if you are only keeping birds for egg production.
However, if you are going to be breeding and hatching eggs, that is where the rubber meets the road. All chicken feeds (provided they are fresh) are adequate for egg production. In order to have the nutrition necessary for robust embryos and chicks, it requires a higher level of nutrition, especially amino acids, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals. There are only a certain number of nutrients required to be listed on the guaranteed analysis tag depending on the species being fed.
I find that manufacturers listing more than the minimum nutrients are proud of the fact they are providing more than other companies.
I will elaborate if you ask but, in lieu of that, make sure the feed is fresh. Minerals and some vitamins last a while, but some vitamins and amino acids can deteriorate as feed ages. The mill date will always be on the bag.

 

[nuthatched]

I'm new to this, so I'm about to go purchase about 5 pulletsan not sure what to feed them. Scratch, pelleted, layer crumbles etc.. I'm not trying to put TS in a bad way.

Pellets are less messy. Its usually recommended to provide free access to Feed all day. Limited scratch to a handful once or twice a week since it's a treat. I like the new berry flavored scratch by nutrena.

 

[Clukcluks]

I've used TS, another small Illinois chain (Farm and Home) across the road from them, a closer mom and pop feed store and others.
Farm and Home is a little lower priced for many of the same products. What is good about both of them, at least the stores by me, is that they tend to take steps to move older product.
As @FrostRanger said, there isn't a great deal of difference in brands if you are only keeping birds for egg production.
However, if you are going to be breeding and hatching eggs, that is where the rubber meets the road. All chicken feeds (provided they are fresh) are adequate for egg production. In order to have the nutrition necessary for robust embryos and chicks, it requires a higher level of nutrition, especially amino acids, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals. There are only a certain number of nutrients required to be listed on the guaranteed analysis tag depending on the species being fed.
I find that manufacturers listing more than the minimum nutrients are proud of the fact they are providing more than other companies.
I will elaborate if you ask but, in lieu of that, make sure the feed is fresh. Minerals and some vitamins last a while, but some vitamins and amino acids can deteriorate as feed ages. The mill date will always be on the bag.

Thanks. That's good info. Only egg laying purposeful feeds is what I'm going to be needing.

 

[Clukcluks]

Pellets are less messy. Its usually recommended to provide free access to Feed all day. Limited scratch to a handful once or twice a week since it's a treat. I like the new berry flavored scratch by nutrena.

I've not yet purchased feeders for the purpose of daily feeding and water. So your saying you like pellets. Scratch is a treat. I thought I could mix it with the feed.

 

[FrostRanger]

I've not yet purchased feeders for the purpose of daily feeding and water. So your saying you like pellets. Scratch is a treat. I thought I could mix it with the feed.

Too much scratch will cause your birds to be overweight and can cause other nutritional issues. It's not needed at all (I don't buy scratch at all) but if you do feed it it and whatever other extras they get should make up less than 10% of their overall diet

I also like pellets due to them being less messy but do know the only difference between pellets and crumbles is the texture, nutritionally they're the same. If you're starting with chicks I'd keep them on crumbles for at least a few weeks. You can use either chick starter or all flock crumbles (with 20% protein). Once they get bigger you can transition to all flock pellets if you so choose. You can use layer pellets once everyone is laying but all flock usually has higher protein which is better for the birds and helps prevents some behavior problems like feather picking and egg eating hence why many of us recommend all flock all the time with crushed oyster shell on the side for calcium

 

[nuthatched]

I've not yet purchased feeders for the purpose of daily feeding and water. So your saying you like pellets. Scratch is a treat. I thought I could mix it with the feed.

Nope, it's like the chicken version of French fries, you can't have them everyday. don't mix with their feed.
One 50# bag of scratch lasts me atleast 4 months.