Help Chicken rickets

[Kiki]

Also...Fertrell does not have enough calcium are they actually eating the oyster shell each day?

 

[Kiki]

ONE...Fertrell..that is vitamins/suppliments correct?...how much are they supposed have per hen? I make their feed every day fresh and their instructions are for large amounts.

I am not sure which one is the "regular" version but...
Notice this one contains no Lysine.

You will have to calculate the total of what you mix together first...in oder to calculate how much to add of this to it:

 

[Mary Monk]

Welcome to BYC.
You mention you are mixing it daily.
Exactly how much of each of the above are you mixing together daily?

I put about a cup of feed per bird of all of these blended together. It makes a full regular sized blender. They have left over feed that I throw out at night when I wash their bowls once they go in for the night.

 

[Mary Monk]

I am not sure which one is the "regular" version but...
Notice this one contains no Lysine.

View attachment 1530912

View attachment 1530913
You will have to calculate the total of what you mix together first...in oder to calculate how much to add of this to it:
View attachment 1530914 View attachment 1530915

This is directions per ton. I have 8 hens. I have been putting about a teaspoon in the blender full. The only reference I have found online was in a video and the guy sprinkled it on the feed like salt.

 

[Mary Monk]

Also...Fertrell does not have enough calcium are they actually eating the oyster shell each day?

Yes I see them eating it.

 

[Mary Monk]

Here in Michigan, Feed can be sent to Michigan State U. for analysis. I never have done it, because I'm not making my own mixes. Probably your state ag. school offers this service too.
Mary

Great idea. I will call tomorrow and find out.

 

[Mary Monk]

Welcome! It's very difficult to make a balanced feed at home; I had poultry science and nutrition classes in college, and would never try.
If your birds are malnourished, the fix is to return to a good balanced diet immediately. The ration balancer needs to be very fresh too; it ages out and looses some of the vitamins in the mix.
Did you work with an actual nutritionist to develop this diet? Have you had batches analyzed?
Your obviously sick hen may have another problem entirely; she's weak for some reason.
I feed Flock Raiser, with oyster shell on the side, and have for many years. There must be something out there that you would be willing to buy already mixed, at least I hope so.
Mary

You may want to repost in Watering & Feeding forum ... Hope you get the help you need. Why'd you switch your feeding .... Curious. My thought is commercial feed is balanced nutritionally & vitamins, although I did switch from layer to Flock Raiser (higher in protein) with Oyster Shells on the side.

all that I can get here is Purina. I want something more sustainable and wanted a more natural diet. We have free feed oyster shells and free feed kelp. We also give them milk or yogurt as a treat a couple of times a week. They are also let out in the garden to feed on bugs and grass.

 

[Kiki]

Do you buy all of the grains from Azure?
Bare with me here I am going to try to calculate this for you.

 

[Kiki]

all that I can get here is Purina. I want something more sustainable and wanted a more natural diet. We have free feed oyster shells and free feed kelp. We also give them milk or yogurt as a treat a couple of times a week. They are also let out in the garden to feed on bugs and grass.

What state are you in?
Does Azure mail you these grains?
There are a LOT of complete poultry ORGANIC feeds out there that you can mail order too.

 

[Mary Monk]

What state are you in?
Does Azure mail you these grains?
There are a LOT of complete poultry ORGANIC feeds out there that you can mail order too.[/QUOTE
Southeast Louisiana. I would like something we can grow on our homestead rather than buying feed at a store. Plenty of people do it. I'm hoping someone on here has experience with it.