Finisher Or Cracked Corn? (UPDATED 9/7/09 POST #20)

[newchickens2009]

I Have 3 Hens (that Are Laying) And A Roo That I've Been Feeding Finisher Because I Can't Get Layer Here Where I Live. Only Cracked Corn, Starter And Finisher. Should I Continue To Feed They Finisher Or Would Cracked Corn Be Better? Or Maybe Mix The Corn And Finisher? I Have Them Just For Laying Eggs And Not For Meat. At Least Not Yet Thanks For The Help God Bless

 

[newchickens2009]

P.s. They Also Do Some Free Ranging 4-5 Days A Week For About 2hrs In The Evening When I Get Home From Work.

 

[mtnhomechick]

Don't have the answer you probably want. I have fed sow feed and get the same amount of eggs. But I also feed layer pellets once a day. I heard in Europe they just feed corn.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Cracked corn is just like feeding candy. It doesn't have enough nutrition by itself. I don't have experience with finisher, but if it's a balance of grains it would be better.

 

[vnploveschickens]

What is in the finisher? Just guessing, but I would use the finisher over cracked corn. Cracked corn is just a treat, just like candy.

 

[newchickens2009]

On The Bag It Just Says "boiler Finisher" But I Will Get The Nutrition Info Tomorrow And Up Date.

 

[threehorses]

Can you at least get grower or Purina "Flock Raiser"? Is there not a TSC that you could go to every months once? Finisher is specifically to fatten broilers to slaughter. it doesn't have nutrition for long term skeletal or organ health.

Cracked corn is way too high in phosphorus and low in a balance of nutrition. it's never anything near a complete feed, nor is scratch.

If you feed corn and finisher, they'll be too fat and won't lay. They won't lay because they won't have enough calcium from either feed.

Laying feed is the most common feed available. Let us help you find a feedstore that carries it. Anything less is going to cause more problems than good.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&u...&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=more-results&resnum=1

or http://tinyurl.com/lekulf

 

[newchickens2009]

Unfortunately Here Where I Live In The Bahamas I Only Have Access To The Starter, Finisher And Cracked Corn. The Feed That I Have Is "broiler Finisher" (medicated). Active Drug Ingredient:bactracin Methylene. 18% Crude Protein, 4.5% Crude Fat And 4%crude Fiber.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
Wow and you get a steady dose of antibiotics. Absolutely unforgivable of your feed companies.

 

[newchickens2009]

My Thoughts Exactly!! And There Are Quite A Few People Who Raise Chickens For Eggs (and Pets) Here. But I Know Of No One Who Raises Meat Birds. Go Figure? I Asked Them Why They Have Finisher And Not Layer And All I Got Was A Shoulder Shrug From The Cashier. Maybe I Need To Make A Point To See The Manager. Is It That Important? Or Will The Finisher Be Ok?