Girls Started laying What to Feed?

ldrwnorman47

Chirping
9 Years
Jul 6, 2010
98
47
51
Right now I am feeding a layer feed from a local feed store. It is very very powdery, but the hens seem to like it. they clean it up very well. Should I be offering them grit and oyster shell also? All of my eggs seem fine so far. I dont know what brand this is i have now but i had been buying purina.

Thanks
 
There are different layer feed "forms"...mash, crumbles and pellets. Crumbles are what my layers prefer. The oyster shell is perfect for the extra calcium they need. Also, insoluble granite should be provided...to help them break down their food. Just put the shells and granite in a bowl and let them pick at it when they want it.

I just read on a thread to include BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) to your layers feed. The oils are supposed to help them lay (prevent becoming egg bound). $5 for a 40lb bag.
 
If it's a formulated feed specifically for laying hens, it should contain all that they need. So you could still offer them free choice oyster shell, or wait to see if there are any issues in the future. Purina does have a layer feed by the way. It's what I use, and I still keep a small dish of oyster shell available. They do peck through it in the evenings, but I don't know whether it's just habit for them, or whether they feel thier bodies need it
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Grit has nothing to do with layers...grit should be offered to any birds, chicks on up, who don't have access naturally to small rocks/gravel if they eat anything other than formulated feed...grass, bugs, scraps, etc...to aid in breaking down those foods.
 
Really. According to their website, the Home Fresh Layer only comes in Pellets or Mash...
http://www.blueseal.com/livestock/poultry/

I just picked up a bag of the Blue Seal Organic Life Grower 'Crumbles'
I wanted to try Crumbles. My birds have had Mash, then Pellets and I want to see which they seem to prefer.

Can you or anyone confirm this (that the regular Layer feed comes in Crumbles)???
Thanks,
Steve
 
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The best I can do is take a picture of the bag with some in my hand! I may come back and edit it in. Our local feed mill was bought by Blue Seal...I'm pretty sure they make it all right here. Also, you can google Blue Seal Layer Feed Crumbles...something will come up. Maybe you need to find a new distributor. Also, you can request at your store that you would prefer the crumbles. They won't stock it if it isn't selling.

I just clicked on your link. They have listed just below Layer Mash and Pellets..."Egg Maker Crumbles".

Edited to add pictures. These are the 2 kinds we get...starter mash and layer crumbles. This bag of layer crumbles was purchased THIS week. Sorry for the sideways pictures.

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Yeah. I saw that, but that is not the same as the straight Layer Feed. Says...

"recommended for small commercial operators who have a significant number of birds, sell eggs retail, and measure rate of lay and egg size. This formula is high-protein with increased methionine."

Thanks though, I was just curious.'
Steve
 
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I just posted pictures. My husband said the mill may not be making the crumbles because not enough people order it. Hmmm. WE order it! My chickens didn't know what to do with the pellets we bought in a pinch from TSC! We buy about 4 bags of Layer Crumbles each week.
 
Cool. Thanks. I wonder why the website (Blue Seal) does not list their Layer feed as coming in crumbles. I will check with my supplier and see if they can get it.
Thanks!
 

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