Is Omega 3 feed better for hen health

[mrmikes21]

Hey folks a question/discussion for yall. I've been a long time feeder of Nutrena Hearty Hen for my backyard flock. I dont know why I landed on it all those years ago but I've stuck with it, and my chickens have always done well on it.
Today the thought popped into my head of if the feed you choose really matters to the bird or if its marketing. With feather fixer feeds, high production feeds, ext. being sold is any one feed really the best option.
So aside from egg omega levels, do high omega acid feeds have any benefit to the hens themselves. Anyone notice a difference in their birds feeding one or another?

 

[DemeterAD9]

I can’t speak on the finer details but in my mind it’s no different than dog food brands. Recently the trend is “all natural raw food diet” for dogs, toting it is the healthiest for your pet. “If you aren’t feeding raw then your dog is unhealthy blah blah blah”. Marketing at its finest. I can guarantee the majority of pet dogs in the US are fed dry food and they are not unhealthy because of it. Of course there are super cheap generic brands out there that are not great so you need to know what you’re looking for.

Sure you can buy the highest price, all organic, vegetarian, best quality chicken feed you can find but is it really necessary for healthy birds? No, it’s not. So long as they get a diet with the necessary nutrients in the right amounts they will be healthy. Chickens are adaptable, if left to free range during the warmer months they can find the majority of what they need foraging but supplemental feeding is a good idea to cover all the bases.

People tend to focus on the source of such nutrients, meat/fish/poultry etc by-products seem to be frowned upon, mostly due to individual preferences. As are feeds with soy and/or corn. High calcium, high omega 3, non GMO, vegetarian, whole grain etc is just marketing IMO. If marketing is going for the “all natural” diet then we would be feeding all sorts of plant material (not just seeds), bugs, and small animals.

Honestly the only thing I look for on the front of the bag is protein, then I look at the nutritional content on the back. I’m on the cheap but nutritious boat, I get my feed from a local mill for 15$ per 50lb bag plus I let my birds free range and give them scraps so really I spend maybe 20-40$ a month depending on the season for 21 birds. My birds seem to be in great health, they look fantastic and are active. Eggs look and taste great as did the cockerels I butchered.

I suggest you stick with what works best for you. Something that is affordable and keeps your birds in good shape. Different flocks can require different feeds (laying hens, chicks, meat birds, bachelor groups etc). A good all-rounder would be starter/grower or all flock feed with a side of calcium for laying hens.