I was given the wrong bag of food w/ 20% protein. Will it hurt my chickens?

[JukeboxJenny]

Yep! My pullet flock prefers Nutrena All Flock and Purina Flock Raiser soooo much more than layer feed. We decided on a compromise of Nutrena Hearty Hen Pellets (they're all almost year old layers and I like a little bit higher protein in this layer feed vs other layer feeds) and at night they get a mash made from Nutrena All Flock(which I buy to feed to my mixed flocks), Purina Flock Raiser(I buy because crumbles are fed to my young birds), mixed with water. Also, like @azygous mentioned, I offer oyster shell on the side for free choice, even though they mostly eat layer feed. They won't overindulge and calcium is so crucial to layers.

Ok great! Thank you! I’ll go get my one layer some oyster shell tomorrow!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I have oyster shell out in my mixed flocks as well and the birds that don't need it, don't really bother with it. Chickens are so much smarter than we give them credit for. I wish you all the best for you and your flock

 

[BDutch]

I asked for the layer pellets I usually get and they tossed this into my trunk and I didn’t notice until I got home.
can I give it to my chickens? They’re about 4-5 months old. Do I need to mix it with anything? On part of the bag is says it’s complete with no need to supplement and on another it says to mix it with grains.
Help please! Thanks! View attachment 2195460View attachment 2195461

The feed is quit high on proteïne. But that should not be a problem.
What worries me about this feed is that they claim all flock. The ingredient list says 6% Calcium. This is too high for not laying chickens. It can cause kidney problems with chicks, roosters and hens that are not laying.

 

[azygous]

@BDutch has a good point. I hadn't noticed the calcium content. This feed is fine for your pullets as they will start laying soon. But if you add chicks or any roosters turn up magically, as they are wont to do, this feed won't serve a mixed flock long term.

I have a mixed flock that includes young chicks, active laying hens, two roosters, and several "retired" hens over ten years old. I feed fermented Flock Raiser, and I have several stations where the layers can nibble oyster shell when they feel the need. Occasionally, one of the roosters will sample the oyster shell, and chicks always give it a quick taste, but only the active layers actually eat it regularly.

 

[nao57]

I don't thinknyoubneed to, but you can mix it 50 50 if it makes you feel better. My birds get so many different things, they're not used to any one thing

Mixing or reducing it by putting percentages with other types is a great idea.

And people could be thinking of this anyway since not all feeds will be the same on other issues.

I'm wondering if you would also mix feeds if one is older than another one also? And is it common to find differences more on stuff like calcium etc than on protein?

 

[nao57]

The feed is quit high on proteïne. But that should not be a problem.
What worries me about this feed is that they claim all flock. The ingredient list says 6% Calcium. This is too high for not laying chickens. It can cause kidney problems with chicks, roosters and hens that are not laying.

What about for ducks? If 6% is too high for teenage chickens, then whats the ideal calcium rate for ducks? And is the calcium requirement and ceiling limit the same for both genders in poultry? (Nobody ever talks about this one that I remember seeing...or maybe I'm forgetting stuff.)

If the feed is mixed this could reduce the issue a lot. And if the feed is aged then it might have some nutrient loss already right?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Honestly I've NEVER used all flock and I've had roosters live almost a decade on just layer pellets and treats. Same with ducks and young birds. As soon as they can swallow pellets, I move them to the regular 16% layers pellets and then that's it

 

[azygous]

Honestly I've NEVER used all flock and I've had roosters live almost a decade on just layer pellets and treats. Same with ducks and young birds. As soon as they can swallow pellets, I move them to the regular 16% layers pellets and then that's it

Sorry, I can't resist. You could go jogging every day down the center line of the highway every day for a couple of years and never be hit by a vehicle. But, you still wouldn't be able to plausibly claim that it was a safe thing to do and everyone should try it.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Sorry, I can't resist. You could go jogging every day down the center line of the highway every day for a couple of years and never be hit by a vehicle. But, you still wouldn't be able to plausibly claim that it was a safe thing to do and everyone should try it.

I know, I've seen all the claims other people have. What I really meant was that just one bag isn't probably going to do much damage, even without it being mixed.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

I know, I've seen all the claims other people have. What I really meant was that just one bag isn't probably going to do much damage, even without it being mixed.

Yeah the added calcium in layer feed might not hurt the roosters for a short while, but over time it can be detrimental to their health. Same with other poultry.