Hubbard wild game bird block as a substitute for Purina flock block?

[F.L Buff]

Unfortunately, my flock of 13 hens/1 rooster are having some issues with feather picking. I have already given away the three hens (previously had 16 hens) that were the worst offenders, switched from Layena to Homestead feed (1% more protein), give BOSS as treats, added Avia to their water, used Hotpick and axle grease, the works. I have also hung cabbages and portions of a deer rib cage, tossed them old hamburger, offered yogurt, etc. I have way more than 4 sq. ft. per bird in the coop/run and it is just impossible to free-range them because of the many predators we have here in the mountains.

Anyhow, I have called every Purina dealer within a 100 mile radius of home and not one carries the Purina poultry flock blocks that are supposedly helpful. When I picked up a bag of feed at my local Hubbard feed store, I saw something similar called a 25-lb "game bird block" that is intended as a 'free choice protein block for wild game bird'. I bought it, but the nutrition is a little different. and am comparing the contents to that of the Purina block. Obviously, I am FAR from being a chicken expert! Is there anything in this that can hurt my hens?

Easylix Game Bird Block
crude protein 19.5%
crude fat 1%
crude fiber 5%
calcium (min) 5.75%
calcium (max) 6.75%
phosphorus 1%
salt (min) .1%
salt (max) .5%
cobalt 2.5 ppm
copper 100 ppm
manganese 350 ppm
zinc 450 ppm
Vit A 25,000 IU/lb
Vit D-3 5,000 IU/lb
Vit E 5 IU/lb

I really appreciate any guidance. Thanks!

P.S. I also went to the pet store today and bought some parrot "toys" to hang in the coop and run. My relatives (mostly ranchers) are going to be shocked!

 

[sovia]

I have the same issue and have been wondering if I could substitute this. I hope to see what others have to say.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

My feedstore didn't carry the Flock Blocks, but they ordered them for me.

If they are a Purina dealer, they can order them - I don't know why they wouldn't (maybe they are just lazy?

)

The Flock Blocks, I think, are only about 8 or 9 percent protein - not sure if they would eat enough of the 19 % protein block to make a huge difference. The other minerals, I'm not sure of - maybe you could compare the nutritional stats on the Flock Blocks and see how much difference there is.

I would be more concerned abut the mineral content than the protein. So make sure you check those.

Edited to add.... Oops, Flock Block isn't Purina

, let me see who makes it (Sunfresh maybe?)

Edited again -- YES it IS Purina, not sure why it is on one site and not another....

Guaranteed Analysis
Protein, not less than 8.0%
Lysine, not less than 0.30%
Methionine, not less than 0.25%
Crude Fat, not less than 2.5%
Crude Fiber, not more than 4.0%
Calcium (Ca), not less than 2.3%
Calcium (Ca), not more than 2.7%
Phosphorus (P), not less than 0.65%
Salt (Nacl), not less than 0.70%
Salt (Nacl), not more than 1.2%
Sodium (Na), not less than .35%

Ingredients:
Cracked Corn, Whole Wheat, Whole Milo, Whole Barley, Whole Sunflower Seed, Molasses, Oyster Shell, Calcium Lignin Sulfonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Granite Grit, Salt, Propionic Acit (A Preservative), Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine, Biotin, Vitamin A Acetate, Nicotinic Acid, Riboflavin, DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholecalciferol, Menadione Dimethylpyrimidinol Bisulfite (source of Vitamin K), Folic Acid, Cyanocobalamin, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite.

Hope the chart will help ya.

meri