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

[speckledhen]

Well, I'm not thrilled with the meds in the finisher, but if that's your choice between that and corn, that has more nutrition in it. I'd see the manager and tell him how important it is that they try to get some layer feed in for the customers.

 

[cmom]

Can you order it online?

 

[newchickens2009]

I Can Order It And Have It Shipped Here For About $30 For A 50lb Bag, But Would Have To Get 15-20 Bags And I Just Don't Have Anywhere To Keep That Many. (i Pay $20 For The Finisher Here).

 

[mtnhomechick]

Just wondering if you could mix starter with sow feed. From what I understand sow feed has many more nutrients than cracked corn. any thoughts?

 

[threehorses]

I would do, and no - finisher isn't appropriate as it will often blow out their legs. It's meant for birds that are intended to die shortly, to be blunt.

Yes, I'd educate the manager. They can order it for you - then you'd get fresh food. Figure out how much you use in 6 weeks or monthly. Most feedstores get feed weekly on a certain day. SO if you had a standing order, prepaid, what can they say? It keeps your business!

 

[Rootball]

Is the starter medicated?

If you do research there are charts that show easily how to mix feeds of certain percentages of protein with grain to bring the protein down to the exact desired level. They are called Pearson's squares.

Then maybe you could supplement the missing calcium in the layer feed with oyster shell.

This is not exacting advice, but there should be a logical way to get the chickens what they need with what you have available to you. It just might take some research and fine tuning.

 

[newchickens2009]

The Starter Is = Chick Starter Crumble (medicated) Active Drug Ingredient Is Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate...30 Grams Per Ton (in The Finisher There Is 50 Grams Per Ton). Crude Protein 19% Crude Fat 4% And Crude Fiber 7.5%.

 

[threehorses]

Ugh, no BMD please. It's an antibiotic.

 

[Chicken03]

Talk to the manager of the store. If they can order finisher feed, then they should be able to order layer feed.

 

[newchickens2009]

Hello 1 N All Again. I Did Get Some Layer Feed, (purina Mills Brand Layena Sunfresh Recipe Crumbles-25 Complete Feed For Laying Hens) While In Fl N Since Feeding It 2 The Hens Egg Size Has Droped By At Least 25%. Y Would This Happen? I Did Talk 2 The Manager At The Feed Store Here N He Said That Quite A Few People Have Asked About It But He Dosen't Like The Layer Has Good Has The Finisher So He Won't Order Any, Go Figure?