I do I give them all free choice oyster shells The reason for it is that i have birds of all different ages, some laying, some not yet laying and I have no way to keep them separate.
We had used Flockraiser and recently switched to Poulin Grain Egg Production Plus Crumblets. The Poulin feed has a higher protein. It doesn't make sense to me to reduce the protein on hens that are using more energy because they're producing. You can find more information on the Poulin grain products at www.poulingrain.com. Before I switched I posted something on BYC asking for reviews on the food. I was pleased with what others had to say about it then, and I am thrilled with how well my girls are doing on it now.
I use Flock Raiser because it's all I can get from my feed store. I have used it for years seems to be a very good product, I also give oyster shell year round.
I didn't used to be able to get flockraiser so I use gamebird feed. You can get it in higher protein formulas and one of my local feed stores sells it very reasonably. I prefer it to layer because I have a mixed age/species flock and it is lots easier to be able to feed them all one thing, especially since they freerange. You do need to put oystershell out freechoice for the layers, but that's easy enough to do and not very expensive either.
I use gamebird finisher and give more oyster shells mixed in. I can't find flock raiser in pellets and crumbles wastes too much feed.
We use it for the higher protein and because we have many different age ranges. We use it interchangeably with gamebird feed. I buy whichever's cheaper or currently available. It varies here. I can't get anything higher protein in a pellet. I mix it about half and half with layer pellets and feed crushed eggshells for calcium.
I use Flock Raiser and oyster shell because I have all different ages and multiple species (chickens, ducks, guineas, quail, chukar), and everyone does great on it. I've raised pheasants, wild turkeys, and California quail on it as well.
I use gamebird finisher and give more oyster shells mixed in. I can't find flock raiser in pellets and crumbles wastes too much feed. Your feed store should be able to order some for you
