How do you feed your Rooster(s)?

[Folly's place]

I prefer a pelleted or crumble type feed, so the birds don't pick and choose which yummy seeds they each eat. And I prefer a 20% protein diet for my flock, not 17%.
The 50# bags of feed will be more cost effective, if you have something available where you shop.
Mary

 

[Jackiebjackie]

I use Purina Flock Raiser because it available to me with fresh mill dates and consistently high enough turn over in my location and at the same price as Dumor or Nature Wise. One store had feed more than 6 months old on the shelf and since nutrients diminish over time (normal turnover time is formulated into the equation), and depending on storage conditions (heat or humidity) could happen rapidly. I no longer shop there. Generally aiming for not more than 6 weeks past mill date is preferred. According to the person who orders feeds at TSC.. I believe they are *technically* alleged to be good/best by.. within one year of milling. But topping the confusion is the difference of how they label those dates. If I had Kalmbach feeds available I might try them again as when I did, it smelled so good. BUT it's a regional feed, to the midwest I think that I got on Amazon and not available to me on a regular basis. If you're interested please check out the feed comparison charts, someone has worked really hard putting together.. For me brand doesn't matter, nutritional analysis and ingredients do. And I cannot personally afford to go "organic".. So it (Purina FR) may not be my #1 pick if my resources were different.. (location, funding, etc) But it has been a very good product with acceptable and reliable consistent results.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/➡-feed-comparison-spreadsheet.1275920/#post-20524932

Yes, I have stated the POSSIBLE down sides of feeding a rooster "layer" feed. I personally choose not to feed it as the savings of doing so is outweighed by other factors and the risk just isn't worth it to ME. As I've seen many state they never NOTICE any problem.. and there IS a genetic factor (which is the unknown part to us) that is largely at play. So I would probably get the flock raiser (or other low calcium formulated ration)... and feed out the layer, mixed with the FR to spread around the nutrients. But YOU should do what feels best for your flock, with what you are currently thinking and understanding, with what resources (funds) you have available. You can always switch things up if you change your mind,


I NEVER switch my feed. I start my newly hatched chicks, the boys I'm raising for the freezer, my active layers, breeders.. EVERYONE only gets the FR, ever.

I realize you are asking about a hen only flock. My personal thought with my current understanding means I would NOT feed layer to a hen only flock either.. Maximizing the micro-nutrients in my eating eggs (all eggs are 34% protein and 64%, fat according to their energy aka calorie content with half that protein and a good portion of the nutrients being found inside the yolk) benefits MY long term health. Plus the hens having more reserves on board and seeing who different the personality withdrawal was when going through molt was telling to me. The extra amino acids.. make the birds stronger, more resistant to internal/external parasites, ultimately predation.. according to MY anecdotal evidence..

That being said.. we do all we can and ultimately we are not in control. For Orpington.. not less than 18% protein is preferred. They however can SOMETIMES be genetically prone to fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome.. be careful not to feed them excess high energy low nutrient treats.. like cracked corn, scratch, left overs. Just be sure to keep it under 10% of the total daily ration for best results.


Thinking maybe "hatch" was meant.

While I'm here sharing my thoughts on feed let me touch on another subject many will tout.. FERMENTING, aka.. FF.. I bought in for a while and did it.. I mean all the rage.. increase protein, add probiotics, decrease feed cost, increase health, increase eggs size, the list goes on and on..

All those things equaled chicken math. If it's saving me this much plus I free range I can add this many more.. RIGHT?! Right. I did it for a flock of 72 including some ducks.. I did ONLY FF for 2 whole years. I didn't save ME a dime.. NOT one! My birds weren't healthier, eggs weren't larger. Nothing. I wasted a lot of time doing it for a flock that size in a large plastic trash can, and had a lot fun seeing the layers and bubbles, stirring with an oar. I even fermented dog food, don't.

FF might help some birds that are in need or save some very wasteful flocks.. but ultimately.. it's unformulating a formulated ration and many feeds already have probiotics added to them even when they don't spend money to advertise it on their fancy label. Looking back just this moment I found myself wondering if it actually decreased my hatch rate?!

Solutions not problems!

It’s so interesting to hear that FF feed didn’t end up saving you any money! I attempted to ferment a few weeks ago, and naturally gave up when I saw the little ones getting feed all over their feet and on the bedding; which yielded the same results with dried feed, except more messy when everything is moist!

I’ve read in some studies that stated chickens actually need more Protein in the 18-20% range and that layer feed with only 16% isn’t actually enough. Do you agree with this or do you feel it varies with breeds?

 

[Jackiebjackie]

I think it's really what you want to do, I had the same problem when I asked this question everyone has a different answer. If you are concerned for the health of your chicken a you may want to buy flock raiser and supplement oyster shells on the side, also some birds even when eating layer sometimes need extra calcium. The good they about flock raiser is that it's higher in protein which keeps them from eating the eggs and feather picking, especially in the winter. Now layer is a bit cheaper depending on the brand that's one reason a lot of people get also that they don't need to always supplement oyster shells. My grandparents used to give their chickens cracked corn and table scraps and that's it because back then they were more concerned on saving money for their food not their chickens. Now what I do is give flock raiser since I have ducks and quail, the quail don't really like pellets, and I give some layer in a separate feeder and give them scratch once in every other say or so, and they always have oyster shells and grit. The reason I give them some layer and still provide oyster shells is because it's a cheaper brand and I don't think it has enough calcium, I also give the the flock raiser because it's higher in protien. It's completely up to you I would advice researching the subject because all of the replies tend to be different. (Sorry for the long reply hope you figure it out)

Thanks for your reply! I’ve definitely done a fair share of research, and you’re absolutely right. There’s no right or wrong way of going about it. Everything depends on the flock owner and is up to them. I felt inclined to post and pick some brains as there’s SO much information out there, and some are conflicting. My ultimate goal is to learn why people feed their chicks what and the reason behind it (so I can absorb and steal as much info as I possibly can )

I have a flock of quail too, and have been doing one part layer feed and one part game bird feed. It seems like the nutrients add up when I do the math, and they’re laying some jumbo shiny eggs! I have one that has been laying a double yolker about once a week, that poor bird!

Do you feed your quail chick grit or have you switch to the larger poultry grit?

Thanks again for your insight!

 

[NatJ]

We use 50 lb bags for about a week for 9 birds usually. Large and bantam mixed flock

Plenty of places say that a hen eats about 1/4 pound per day. Your numbers work out to over three times that much. Are your chickens wasting a large amount of feed by spilling it?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I have a certain male that eats all that has given and I'm fairly certain that they do lose some feed by kicking it and pests getting to it.

 

[Folly's place]

I really can't say how many bags per so many birds. We have both bantams and standards, and growing chicks and adults, and over the summer chicks were arriving, and then moving elsewhere. Right now we are down to 49 total, from over 70! I buy usually 150 pounds at a time, and use it up pretty fast...
So not helpful!
Mary

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I have seperate bags for seperate flocks. My Pheonix flock goes through way less than the others because they eat way more bugs. My barn flocks go through about 5 bags of 50 pounds in a month and my mixed flock by the house plus my seperate Cockerel do about 4 bags a month.

Nevermind when I have chicks and have to buy crumble too

 

[EggSighted4Life]

When it comes to protein, I’ve also just started an all organic mealworm farm, which seems to have higher protein and less fat than other insects, and I feed them a handful daily, and dried grubs a couple times a week.

My information says they 28% fat in the adult form at their lowest. They are fine as a treat but overall low in nutrients.. even when gut loaded before feeding..
mealworms

I also had a ton of fun raising live meal worms/darkling beetles. My birds love them much more than dry. The things chickens have talked me into doing, like keeping roach looking things in my dining room!

That feed looks like it will serve your flock fine unless you add chicks since it says two weeks old. In that case you would switch everyone to a "starter" feed with the oyster shell still on the side.

Only the bag I'm actively feeding is stored in a metal can insider it's original bag.. and temperature fluctuations from sun shining under the covered patio/run at times cause heavy condensation/degradation. Bags being stored longer are inside my house where the rodents (guinea pigs) are caged invited guest. But I'm working on converting an old deep freeze into hopefully rodent proof feed storage within my pole barn eventually. But it also hard not to turn it into a cabinet incubator since it's upright.

We use 50 lb bags for about a week for 9 birds usually. Large and bantam mixed flock

Your feeding someone else it seems, or wasting a whole lot, according to my math! 9 birds should NOT be eating 50# of feed per week, especially including bantams. 50# should be lasting you a whole month! I went through 50# a week when feeding my flock of 72.. mostly large fowl, including ducks, grow outs, and bantams. Average consumption should not be more 0.25#/bird/day max. My usual usage including free range averages 0.18- 0.20 #, year round in moderate temperatures.

EDIT- I see someone touched on this already as I was typing.

I’ve read in some studies that stated chickens actually need more Protein in the 18-20% range and that layer feed with only 16% isn’t actually enough. Do you agree with this or do you feel it varies with breeds?

I feel it varies by breed and according to your goal. All my technical information indicates people are fear mongers of protein deficiency blaming it for feather picking and other undesirable flock behaviors while feathers despite being made from 90% protein AND it's amino acids are only about 2% digestible in raw form.

Veterinary manual are considered trusted resources by me. I'll share the links I have.. Note the tables on the side of the page..
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...t-poultry/nutritional-requirements-of-poultry

This link has a typo in Table 2 that say 5 to 17% and should say 15 to 17%... Written by a DVM..
https://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/files/186894.pdf

https://extension2.missouri.edu/g8352

https://www.nap.edu/read/2114/chapter/1#iii

If I get lost before the end of the thread.. please tag me and share YOUR final thoughts on all you've discovered. The learning adventures never end!

ETA: the meal worm link I overlooked is now in place above.

 

[Jackiebjackie]

My information says they 28% fat in the adult form at their lowest. They are fine as a treat but overall low in nutrients.. even when gut loaded before feeding..
mealworms

I also had a ton of fun raising live meal worms/darkling beetles. My birds love them much more than dry. The things chickens have talked me into doing, like keeping roach looking things in my dining room!

That feed looks like it will serve your flock fine unless you add chicks since it says two weeks old. In that case you would switch everyone to a "starter" feed with the oyster shell still on the side.

Only the bag I'm actively feeding is stored in a metal can insider it's original bag.. and temperature fluctuations from sun shining under the covered patio/run at times cause heavy condensation/degradation. Bags being stored longer are inside my house where the rodents (guinea pigs) are caged invited guest. But I'm working on converting an old deep freeze into hopefully rodent proof feed storage within my pole barn eventually. But it also hard not to turn it into a cabinet incubator since it's upright.


Your feeding someone else it seems, or wasting a whole lot, according to my math! 9 birds should NOT be eating 50# of feed per week, especially including bantams. 50# should be lasting you a whole month! I went through 50# a week when feeding my flock of 72.. mostly large fowl, including ducks, grow outs, and bantams. Average consumption should not be more 0.25#/bird/day max. My usual usage including free range averages 0.18- 0.20 #, year round in moderate temperatures.

EDIT- I see someone touched on this already as I was typing.


I feel it varies by breed and according to your goal. All my technical information indicates people are fear mongers of protein deficiency blaming it for feather picking and other undesirable flock behaviors while feathers despite being made from 90% protein AND it's amino acids are only about 2% digestible in raw form.

Veterinary manual are considered trusted resources by me. I'll share the links I have.. Note the tables on the side of the page..
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...t-poultry/nutritional-requirements-of-poultry

This link has a typo in Table 2 that say 5 to 17% and should say 15 to 17%... Written by a DVM..
https://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/files/186894.pdf

https://extension2.missouri.edu/g8352

https://www.nap.edu/read/2114/chapter/1#iii

If I get lost before the end of the thread.. please tag me and share YOUR final thoughts on all you've discovered. The learning adventures never end!

ETA: the meal worm link I overlooked is now in place above.

Thank you SO much for sharing your thoughts and providing the links! I shall read through all of them and let you know my final thoughts! The learning continues!

 

[thepick4uchicks]

Plenty of places say that a hen eats about 1/4 pound per day. Your numbers work out to over three times that much. Are your chickens wasting a large amount of feed by spilling it?

Yes I agree with NatJ...JacinLarkwell. I have close to the same amount of birds in my flock of nine 13 weeks old and I don’t go through near that much feed. They don’t free range either and they are good eaters. Mine are large breeds pretty much and they were allowed to have their food down at night in my basement up until I moved them outside three weeks ago. Mine even spilled some and pooped in some which I chunked and I still didn’t use that much.