Is purina feed okay?

[K0k0shka]

Why do you not like Purina? My chickens only eat Purina Flock Raiser, which is 20% protein, with calcium on the side. They've been eating it for years and they are doing just fine. Healthy, with shiny plumage, laying nicely. I have no complaints at all.

Chickens prefer crumble over pellets because it's easier to swallow. If they have nothing else and are starving, they will eat the pellets out of necessity, but if given the choice, they will prefer crumble. I feed crumble because of that. I have a zero waste feeder, so that's not an issue for me. I have no compelling reason to use pellets instead of crumble.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Many of us - probably the majority of active posters on BYC Feed forums - recommend an All Flock-type feed for all birds of all ages, with free choice fresh clean water, free choice grit, free choice oyster shell (or similar calcium source). The only down side is a slight increase in cost - while there are numerous (admittedly small) benefits for the birds, and the bigger benefit that it works very well for mixed age and mixed gender flocks, as well as for birds who are not prime age high production layers.

We do so with sufficient frequency that some of us often simply link a post in response to the question.

The whole "Purina" thing... It is supported by a handful of largely unsourceable, unverifiable anecdotes, inconsistent and contradictory data points, no plausible method of operation, and some other claims that I would generously characterize as either "fantasy" or objectively (and trivially verfiably) wrong.

 

[Chickety chick]

I've used the Purina flock raiser in the past. I would still be using it if Tractor Supply kept fresh feed in stock, but their feed (in our local stores) is always over 6 months to a year old when I stop in.
I now buy from Chewy. I like the Kalmbach 20% flock feed and Hudson Feed 18% flock maintainer.
Be sure and check the dates on feed. If it's over 6 months old purchase something else because it looses nutrients.

I’ve been having problems with my 2.5 year old egg layers. Do you feed this to older chickens? I am using Purina and after seeing this thread, my bag is 2 years old!!! thank you!

 

[FrostRanger]

A 2 year old bag of any brand of feed isn't good to feed. Chicken feed is only good for a few months. I'd toss it and get another bag. Whether it's Purina or not is up to you. It's not my choice of feed, but Purina feed is basically fine, there's nothing wrong with it. What sorts of problems are you having and what breeds are your birds?

 

[janiedoe]

I’ve been having problems with my 2.5 year old egg layers. Do you feed this to older chickens? I am using Purina and after seeing this thread, my bag is 2 years old!!! thank you!

It is generally a good feed for all ages, however at 2years it has lost all nutrients. I now use Kalmbach Flock Maker 20% protein which I buy from Chewy. Ive never gotten a bag of Kalmbach feed from Chewy that was over 4 months old.

 

[FrostRanger]

It is generally a good feed for all ages, however at 2years it has lost all nutrients. I now use Kalmbach Flock Maker 20% protein which I buy from Chewy. Ive never gotten a bag of Kalmbach feed from Chewy that was over 4 months old.

Ditto on the kalmbach. I feed my girls their flock maker pellets as well! Excellent feed!

 

[Folly's place]

I want to feed within two to three (max!) months of each bag's mill date, and here it's Purina's Flock Raiser. I've used it for twenty+ years, and it's fine. There are other good choices, it depends on what's available fresh where you shop. And four months old is really pushing it, IMO.
Mary

 

[Chickety chick]

It is generally a good feed for all ages, however at 2years it has lost all nutrients. I now use Kalmbach Flock Maker 20% protein which I buy from Chewy. Ive never gotten a bag of Kalmbach feed from Chewy that was over 4 months old.

Thank you so much for your timely response!!

 

[Chickety chick]

A 2 year old bag of any brand of feed isn't good to feed. Chicken feed is only good for a few months. I'd toss it and get another bag. Whether it's Purina or not is up to you. It's not my choice of feed, but Purina feed is basically fine, there's nothing wrong with it. What sorts of problems are you having and what breeds are your birds?

Unfortunately, I didn’t ever think that feed stores would sell old feed. I looked for dates but only discovered, after researching and reading a thread on BYC about the Julian Calendar Purina used. When I looked at the bag that I had finished, I calculated and was astonished. The new bag I have the feed is dark in color and smells really good. I think my girls have always had old food. so thankful they free range!

The eggs shells are fragile, some are not laying. I’ve always supplied oyster shell/grit. I dewormed them a few months ago because I thought that was the problem. I lost (2) girls this year. I noticed they weren’t really eating their feed so I limited snacks but it didn’t change anything. I’m going to change to Kalmbach. thanks for your input!

 

[janiedoe]

Unfortunately, I didn’t ever think that feed stores would sell old feed. I looked for dates but only discovered, after researching and reading a thread on BYC about the Julian Calendar Purina used. When I looked at the bag that I had finished, I calculated and was astonished. The new bag I have the feed is dark in color and smells really good. I think my girls have always had old food. so thankful they free range!

The eggs shells are fragile, some are not laying. I’ve always supplied oyster shell/grit. I dewormed them a few months ago because I thought that was the problem. I lost (2) girls this year. I noticed they weren’t really eating their feed so I limited snacks but it didn’t change anything. I’m going to change to Kalmbach. thanks for your input!

Its best to use feed within 6 months of the manufacturer date.
Hudson feeds (Chewy) are good also but they don’t print a date at all. I found it frustrating that I had to call customer service and give them a lot number off every single sack just to find out when it was manufactured so I switched to Kalmbach.
The Kalmbach feed smells wonderful too- it makes me crave Italian food. The chickens sure don't waste it, they love it.