Good brand of pellets

[slystr]

I am curious what brand of Layer pellets are good? I have Dumor Chick starter 20% but I am wondering what else is out there for laying pullets? Thanks!

 

[keljonma]

Our chicks were given Purina SunFresh Start and Grow until they were 18 weeks old and we switched to layer feed.

We've used Purina SunFresh Layena crumbles and certified organic layer mash. Both are 16% protein. They cost about the same in our area, $9.90 for 50# for Layena and $10.50 for 50# of certified organic. We used the Layena crumbles, not pellets, because our flock would bill out the pellets and waste them. The organic mash is milled locally. It is more powdery, so we mix it with yogurt or buttermilk before feeding to our flock.

We picked these brands because they are both vegetarian feeds. I would rather not use any feed that uses animal proteins, as there are too many unknown possible problems - like BSE in cattle.

Layer feed shouldn't be fed to young birds, as the additional calcium can be hazardous to their health. We provide feed, grit and oyster shell 24/7 free choice. We feed organic veggies and fruits to our flock, but the layer mash is the main ingredient of their diet.

 

[soonerdog]

I always buy laying crumbles for my hens. I have not had good success with any of my hens eating laying pellets. Some of those pellets are pretty big, and I can just imagine a hen trying to swallow these while eating. My hens do not like laying pellets. Maybe someone else can recommend laying pellets, but I can't because for me it was a waste of the feed trying to get them to eat them. Feed is too expensive for wasting! Find what laying feed works best for your flock.

 

[allen wranch]

You will find a lot of different opinions on the different brands of feed and pellets vs. crumbles. Feed what works best for your chickens and make changes as you need to.

My opinion:
I used to use the Purina Start & Grow, but when they switched to the Sunfresh recipe, my first chicks raised on it turned into bad bad feather pickers. Others found the same thing. Chickens are omnivores, and they needed the animal protein. I now feed a high protein turkey starter, then switch to 20% layer pellets at about 20 weeks. My birds waste crumbles, but not the pellets.

Again, feed what works best for your birds.

 

[Rooster01]

I use the Southern States Laying mash. My hens love it and are laying great. They perfer it over Dumor, Purina and other laying pellet brands.

 

[CarriBrown]

I switched to pellets because there seems to be less waste.

 

[slystr]

Thank you all for your help!

 

[D Bar J Acres]

I have muscovy ducks and need to feed pellets for them. We have other animals to feed as well and I only want so many feed tubs sitting around, so decided to feed my chickens pellets as well. My chicks are 7 weeks old now and have been eating SunFresh Flock Raiser for 2 weeks now and don't waste any. It's a bit high in protein for the ducks, so just cutting it with oats for them. THey like it as well. And best of all, it seems to deter the dang sparrows which chow down on the duck food!

I did order a pullet grower from the one feed mill in pellet form and it was the biggest pellets I've ever seen. The scovies didn't even like them! So, gotta watch that.

 

[ruffles]

Such timing and coincidence, I am leaning towards purchasing Purina Layeena, this week.




They began ventura medicated mash, now finishing a bag of Agway, I am leaning towards Layeena, many speak highly, ones who sell eggs.


Sandi