Grower/Finisher All Their Lives?

[DesertBird]

If only they made chick feed in pellets to much gets wasted but m switching to fermented so I guess it dosent matter

lol I've noticed even my older pullets seem to have an issue with eating pellets. Maybe my girls are just picky.

 

[chicks are life]

Yup they waste pellets to...
That's why I'm switching too less Food waste

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hello. Just wondering if there's a benefit or downside to feeding chickens Grower/Finisher their entire lives; week-old chicks to years old. I've seen it said multiple times on here people don't feed their chickens layer feed and stick on grower/finisher, but I was wondering if it's okay to also raise the little chicks on grower/finisher - the one I have currently is 15%, but I think my feed store also carries 18%.

Hi.
You already got some good answers...

I feed a 20% flock raiser to all my birds with oyster shell available on the sides... chicks, layers, rooster, breeders, grow outs. It is the easiest way to feed a multi age flock. And as noted by others does not contain excess calcium that could (doesn't mean will) lead to kidney failure long term in some birds.

You have already established 15% is too low, and I agree. But there are some variables like breed and access to other stuff. Larger breed birds need more protein than lighter breeds. So you MAY get away with feed 15% to a leghorn LAYER but not a barred rock, and NOT chicks. True recommendation is not less than 16% EVER. Here is a link, note one type o that say 5-17% should say 15-17%...
http://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/files/186894.pdf

Too low of protein will cause all kinds of behavioral and health issues. Slightly higher (as in 20-22%) will NOT, but give you a little leeway. (above 25% is usually gamebird feed and would be too much long term as well). Those who wish to feed organic but not layer must feed organic starter. Or at least I haven't found an organic flock raiser. Note, it's the amino acids in the protein that are important. And feathers are made up of 90% protein.

I wouldn't get rid of the rest of your feed, that would be wasteful. Mix it with your new bag.

Easy on the eggs, they are also high in fat. I feed them as a treat. Peas are a great source of protein. Frozen if it's hot out. What's also important is you AVOID scratch, it is candy bars for chickens and quickly diminishes protein level.

AS much as I like to buy into the whole rooster eating layer thing, I do see plenty that are even 6 years or older and always had layer. That won't be mine, but I make a personal choice not to feed them layer. Same way I make a personal choice to feed my birds more than the MINIMUM that layer is. It DOES cost me more, because protein is pricier than oyster shell, that is generally 4% of the bulk of layer. Shopping around for the best price (by internet or phone) has proven fruitful though. I pay $3.35 per bag extra if I shop local. But instead I buy when I drive past the store to see the in-laws.

Before you know it your birds will be all grown up.

What brand is it? I've never seen a Grower lower than 18% or so, and most are higher. Layer is usually 16% protein and Grower should be higher than Layer.

I was surprised when I saw a "start & grow" buy Purina with only 18%. Grow I get, but start... Not on my $! They replaced a broiler "starter/finisher" feed that was 20% and this is supposed to be the replacement product... you bet, for the same price. Interestingly, both feeds were made by Purina, just under a different label.

Anyways, my lesson was read the nutrition label not what they "call" their feed!

Sounds like you've got it under control before any issues popped up. Good paying attention.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Dang, good to know. I didn't pay attention to the prices - just the chart on the back with the ages. I'll be picking up some starter today when I pick up the chicks, then. I might just throw the rest of the finisher out to the run periodically so they have something to scratch around for. lol

Only toss out a small amount to them daily and only on dry ground. Feed will get moldy if it gets wet. Another option would be to buy a 20# bag of 20% Protein and mix in the 15# of grower you have left. GC

 

[DesertBird]

Hi.
You already got some good answers...

I feed a 20% flock raiser to all my birds with oyster shell available on the sides... chicks, layers, rooster, breeders, grow outs. It is the easiest way to feed a multi age flock. And as noted by others does not contain excess calcium that could (doesn't mean will) lead to kidney failure long term in some birds.

You have already established 15% is too low, and I agree. But there are some variables like breed and access to other stuff. Larger breed birds need more protein than lighter breeds. So you MAY get away with feed 15% to a leghorn LAYER but not a barred rock, and NOT chicks. True recommendation is not less than 16% EVER. Here is a link, note one type o that say 5-17% should say 15-17%...
http://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/files/186894.pdf

Too low of protein will cause all kinds of behavioral and health issues. Slightly higher (as in 20-22%) will NOT, but give you a little leeway. (above 25% is usually gamebird feed and would be too much long term as well). Those who wish to feed organic but not layer must feed organic starter. Or at least I haven't found an organic flock raiser. Note, it's the amino acids in the protein that are important. And feathers are made up of 90% protein.

I wouldn't get rid of the rest of your feed, that would be wasteful. Mix it with your new bag.

Easy on the eggs, they are also high in fat. I feed them as a treat. Peas are a great source of protein. Frozen if it's hot out. What's also important is you AVOID scratch, it is candy bars for chickens and quickly diminishes protein level.

AS much as I like to buy into the whole rooster eating layer thing, I do see plenty that are even 6 years or older and always had layer. That won't be mine, but I make a personal choice not to feed them layer. Same way I make a personal choice to feed my birds more than the MINIMUM that layer is. It DOES cost me more, because protein is pricier than oyster shell, that is generally 4% of the bulk of layer. Shopping around for the best price (by internet or phone) has proven fruitful though. I pay $3.35 per bag extra if I shop local. But instead I buy when I drive past the store to see the in-laws.

Before you know it your birds will be all grown up.

I was surprised when I saw a "start & grow" buy Purina with only 18%. Grow I get, but start... Not on my $! They replaced a broiler "starter/finisher" feed that was 20% and this is supposed to be the replacement product... you bet, for the same price. Interestingly, both feeds were made by Purina, just under a different label.

Anyways, my lesson was read the nutrition label not what they "call" their feed!

Sounds like you've got it under control before any issues popped up. Good paying attention.

Thank you very much! My current chickens are RIR's and BR's, but I'm hoping the chicks I get today will be EE's or Leghorn's. I had no idea about the fat content of the eggs - I'll feed it as a once in a while treat, in that case. My fish has a swim bladder issue right now, so funnily enough I was going to pick up some peas today. I'll throw some out to my chickens, too. As for the scratch, I never feed my chickens the scratch, but I know someone who feeds them only scratch - poor birds are constantly practically naked and rarely lay, along with being pretty scrawny for their breeds. I'll read the labels before I buy any feeds today - I'm not even sure if they'll have 20%. Would the chicks be alright on 15% for a bit? (Probably just until they restock or I find somewhere else selling chicken feed.) I think the highest chick starter I saw was 18%, too, and it was out of stock when I checked earlier today; it was the DuMOR brand, also.

 

[DesertBird]

Only toss out a small amount to them daily and only on dry ground. Feed will get moldy if it gets wet. Another option would be to buy a 20# bag of 20% Protein and mix in the 15# of grower you have left. GC

Alrighty, thanks. I'll make sure to only throw out a handful or two in the dirt, and I'll also check to see if they have the 20% protein again.

 

[lazy gardener]

DuMOR. It was the only one they had in stock that was Grower/Finisher when I got it for my younger chickens. I learned around the same time they needed more protein, so I've been feeding them scrambled eggs a lot.



Thanks, good to know. I'll try to look for that.



Yeah, I figured as much. It's more than was on the layer I was feeding the older ones, though.


So overall, should I just get rid of the rest of the 15% feed (maybe about 15lbs left?) and feed my chickens the highest protein grower/finisher I can find? If it's not over 20%.

No, I'd not throw it out. You could mix it in with your next bag of feed which is higher protein. Perhaps a multi flock starter grower which should be 20 - 22%. by mixing that 15# in with the other feed, perhaps using an equal amount of each, until the 15% is gone, you'll be serving up 17.5 - 18.5%.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Alrighty, thanks. I'll make sure to only throw out a handful or two in the dirt, and I'll also check to see if they have the 20% protein again.

I brought my Golden Comets up on Purina Start & Grow 18% from day old chicks till they were 16 weeks old. But they never got treats till they were 8 weeks.
If you get 18% don't mix it with the grower. GC

 

[DesertBird]

No, I'd not throw it out. You could mix it in with your next bag of feed which is higher protein. Perhaps a multi flock starter grower which should be 20 - 22%. by mixing that 15# in with the other feed, perhaps using an equal amount of each, until the 15% is gone, you'll be serving up 17.5 - 18.5%.

My TSC doesn't have all/multi flock feed, for some reason.

I brought my Golden Comets up on Purina Start & Grow 18% from day old chicks till they were 16 weeks old. But they never got treats till they were 8 weeks.
If you get 18% don't mix it with the grower. GC

So it's just called Start and Grow? Not Grower/Finisher? I don't wanna feed them the wrong thing. lol

 

[GC-Raptor]

My TSC doesn't have all/multi flock feed, for some reason.



So it's just called Start and Grow? Not Grower/Finisher? I don't wanna feed them the wrong thing. lol

Correct, Purina Start and Grow. They have medicated and non medicated. GC