How to choose a chicken feed

[Kayla's Lunch]

I got my flock of little chicks about a month ago. They are almost out of the starter food that the feed store told me to use. They are now 6-7 weeks old. I went to TSC and bought Purina Flock Raiser, mostly because I could see a date on it and the date wasn't too old, June 8. Some of the other feeds didn't have a date, such as Natures Best Orgainc Grower and some had dates going back to March. How do you choose what to feed? The feed store was closed when I went and no one at TSC seemed to know anything. From reading here, I should feed something in the range of 18& - 20%, but how do you choose a brand. How "old" is too "old" for a date on the bag of feed. Also, do you store this inside your house where it is climate controlled? I bought a metal can to store it in, but don't really know where. I had been storing the chick starter in the garage, but that is hot and humid. Thanks!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I never switch from Purina flock raiser. I just provide oyster shell on the side for layers. Also, because it usually has a fresher date than other feeds. But also because it is readily available at a price I can afford AND meets the needs of my entire flock from hatch to processing. At least the peeps at TSC didn't ACT like they knew what they were talking about and give you REALLY bad advice, like I have seen in the past. Same can be true for feed stores. Many are just employees who have no actual animal experience.

General good rule of thumb is not more than 6 weeks past the mill date. I buy a month worth at a time so mine will be at least 4 weeks older before it's gone. Plus it has almost always been milled the month prior. MY LFS obviously had less turn over during winter from what they had ordered and I got (same) feed 3 months passed mill date. Drove 90 miles each way just for feed the next time! Yes, how you store the feed does effect how fast is oxidizes. I do keep mine in the house. Those other feeds probably had their mill date at a different location on the bag.

Brand is irrelevant to me. What matter are ingredients, protein and calcium levels, mill date, affordability, and availability. However, I will avoid Dumor (TSC brand), as I have seen too many reports of birds just not seeming to thrive as well as on other feeds. I don't consider the Purina FR a perfect feed... but it is a a happy medium for my flock.

Good luck!

 

[Folly's place]

I also feed Flock Raiser to everyone in my flock, with separate oyster shell. I want bags within four weeks of the mill date, and use it up within another two or three weeks at most. It's available at my local feed stores, and has worked very well for my birds for years.
You might find something that's fresher more often where you shop, or that is organic (if you care to pay more), or that's cheaper at a local mill, but good quality.
My local mills didn't have feed that impressed me at all, and so this is what I'm doing.
Mixed seed blends tend to be eaten unevenly, at least by some birds, so they can have health issues that are sometimes fatal. I'm obviously not a fan of this type of diet!
Pick something that's fresh, and works for your flock. Many regional feed companies exist, and one may be right for you.
Mary

 

[GC-Raptor]

I should feed something in the range of 18& - 20%, but how do you choose a brand. How "old" is too "old" for a date on the bag of feed. Also, do you store this inside your house where it is climate controlled?

I have a small flock of three 27 month old, hens.
I am feeding them a Non-medicated Start & Grow feed.
It's 18% Protein. I can get a 25# bag and I can get it less than a month old.
All good things.
I like a feed with 18 - 20% Protein. My Golden Comets feather pick on 16%.
I need to get a 25 pound bag or smaller. I had a 40# bag of feed go bad just over 5 months past mill date, stored in my house. Got a strong smell and egg production dropped. It most likely would have gone bad sooner if stored outside with Fluctuating temps and humidity. GC

 

[Folly's place]

I store my feed, 150 pounds at a time, in the feed bags in metal garbage cans in the coop. For this quantity, carrying it daily from the house would be extra effort, rather than having it right there.
I use it up within six or seven weeks of mill date, and it's been fine.
You're right to buy small bags for three birds! You could also split a bigger bag with someone close to you who has birds.
Mary