help me compare feed tags, please?

[still learning]

Our layers are 20 weeks today.

We are switching to layer feed. I have one tag for Purina Layena. I also have two tags for local feed mills where if I buy in bulk, the price drops dramatically. I don't know enough about this, though, to know if the feed mill ingredients and the guaranteed analysis listings are good for chickens. Several of the numbers are similar, but there are a few that are quite different.

Is there anything in particular that I should look for as a "red flag" that one feed is better than another? I can post the exact ingredients for all three if you want, but I figured I would ask if there is anything basic that would guide me before doing all that typing.

I want healthy laying birds, but I am not looking for the top of the line show quality, either. I am hoping there is a balance with that??

Thanks so much!

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

If its a reputable feed mill then I would assume that there feed will be of a quality that will at least grow a healthy bird. If ya give the list of ingredents then I bet you'll get some opinions.

 

[still learning]

OK

Crude Protein 16% 17% 14.7%
Lysine .55 .9 .7
Methionine .25 .25 .7
Crude Fat 2.5-7% 2.6-4 2.7-(max not listed)
Crude Fiber 7 4 2.6
Calcium 3.25-4.25 4-5% 2.9-3.9
Phosphorus .5 .6 .5
Salt .3-.8 .2-.7 .3-.8
Manganese 175IU
Vit A 3000IU
Vit. E 10IU

The main ingredients on the first one include: grain products, processed grain by-products, calcium carbonate, molasses products and then a bunch of vitamin, minerals, etc

The second one lists: ground corn, defluorinated phosphate, dehulled soybean meal, meat and bone meal, calcium carbonate, salt, blood meal, dehydrated alfalfa meal, fish meal, corn distillers dried grains with solubles, choline chloride, soybean meal and then the vitamins and minerals, etc

The third one lists: grain products, plant protein products, salt, dicalcium phosphat, calcium carbonate, processed grain by-products, animal fat preserved with ethoxyquin, animal protein products, then the vitamins and minerals, etc.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Im no expert but there all 3 very close. #2 would be my first choice if the price was equal. Its ingredients list didn't keep saying "products." It says what is what. But honestly between those 3 I would buy the cheapest.

 

[briteday]

If I had to make the choice I would go with #2 as they are more specific about ingredients. And I prefer a food that includes animal proteins...as I don't believe that chikcens were meant to be vegetarians.

 

[crape]

2/1/3 The layena is good, but like above I would like at least some of the protien to come from meat products.

 

[still learning]

Well, that's excellent as 1 is Layena and 2 is the feed mill closest to me.

Thanks everyone!

 

[rebelcowboysnb]