The store here only sells multi flock which is 18% protein. The layer is 16%. Is 18% ok? I am thinking about using the non layer and putting a feeder of oyster shell out.
its easy to raise your own earthworms or mealworms from compost/kitchen scraps. this helps convert garbage into extra protein and calcium for your birds. my birds get layer feed but the majority of their diet is weeds, grass, insects and table scraps. i crush and microwave all my used egg shells as well to recycle as much calcium as i can. they never get oyster shell and the shells are always hard. they love strawberry tops and melon rinds, apple cores and i have a section in my garden of beets and turnips where the green daily go to the chicks and ducks. the key is having a varied diet and the birds know what to eat to keep from having a deficiency
Quote:I was just thinking the same thing, we have 18 layers 1 EE rooster, 1 bantam rooster and 1 turkey. The next time we by feed I am trying to decide what we should get, layer or multi flock? Would it hurt the Turkey to have the layer feed? Or should we do the multi flock and offer oyster shell to the ladies? They have been free ranging quite a bit but now they are starting to go into the neighbors yard which could be a problem so they may lose some of their privliges I cant watch them every second DARN IT! There isn't a solid fence on the neighbors side and they can also get out into the road from there, so they may be spending more time in the run til we can figure something out. Anyway....about the feed.....what do you think?
Quote:I was just thinking the same thing, we have 18 layers 1 EE rooster, 1 bantam rooster and 1 turkey. The next time we by feed I am trying to decide what we should get, layer or multi flock? Would it hurt the Turkey to have the layer feed? Or should we do the multi flock and offer oyster shell to the ladies? They have been free ranging quite a bit but now they are starting to go into the neighbors yard which could be a problem so they may lose some of their privliges I cant watch them every second DARN IT! There isn't a solid fence on the neighbors side and they can also get out into the road from there, so they may be spending more time in the run til we can figure something out. Anyway....about the feed.....what do you think? I've got to ask is there really a town by that name here in oklahoma????
I feed mine 18% all flock, supplemented with eggshells/oystershell. I have layers, younger pullets, ducks, and a turkey.
Quote:I was just thinking the same thing, we have 18 layers 1 EE rooster, 1 bantam rooster and 1 turkey. The next time we by feed I am trying to decide what we should get, layer or multi flock? Would it hurt the Turkey to have the layer feed? Or should we do the multi flock and offer oyster shell to the ladies? They have been free ranging quite a bit but now they are starting to go into the neighbors yard which could be a problem so they may lose some of their privliges I cant watch them every second DARN IT! There isn't a solid fence on the neighbors side and they can also get out into the road from there, so they may be spending more time in the run til we can figure something out. Anyway....about the feed.....what do you think? I've got to ask is there really a town by that name here in oklahoma???? LOL not really, our house is situated at the center of an X drawn between Sperry, Owasso, Collinsville, and Skiatook.....so our yard is SPERASSOVILLE
The extra protein will not hurt BUT the question is.... Does the feed have enough calcium for the eggs shells? If not you will need to give a constant supply of oyster shells or some other supplement.
I have a mixed flockof geese, layers, pullets and chicks. I use Purina All Flock plus free range and table scraps. Every one is growing, laying etc.
Quote:It does not but like I mentioned in my post, I would put out a feeder of oyster shell once they're laying. We have a pvc feeder we use now but are switching to a regular feeder, so I can use the pvc one for oyster shell only. The bonus is the multi flock is pellets (the layer is crumbles) and I was hoping to find pellets. DH bought a bag of it today and he said when he filled the feeder, they all ate.