Is this combination of grains good?

[PacsMan]

I got a lot of grain donated to my gals. I'm not sure if I'm mixing it correctly (too high in one area, or not high enough in another area...) Will you guys comment on this combination of food? They seem to eat it really well. They’re about 17 weeks old. Almost ready for laying.

4 parts pullet growing mash (16% protein from feed store)
3 part whole wheat
1 part cracked corn
1/2 part pigeon grit (reddish charcoal stuff)
1/2 part food grade DE
1/4 to 1/2 part hulled millet

I also have buckets of brown rice and rye

 

[spottedtail]

All the grain will take the protein well below 16%.
That is too low.

I'd just feed the growing mash until they begin to lay.
Then switch to a layer feed.

If it was me...I'd only feed the grains as a scratch treat now and then. Just a handful a day.

spot

 

[upthecreek]

You have got the RIGHT ideas about feeding Chickens , i would use a "starter/grower" along with all the grains and other things you mentioned for the rest of their lives and if you find more things that work use them . Fish meal would be GREAT !!!
I would feed the starter/grower seperate from the grains . All of your feeds need to be where the chickens cannot waste it .

Laying pellets is a very poor chicken feed , it is made to only give the birds the very least of necessities to lay and nothing for their growth , plumage , health and longivity .

A good thing to do is google chickens and chicken diets for health . The people's advice at the feed store about chickens and feed is usually only what they read on the bags and what they make up in their minds .
Also Be careful about listening to just anyone .
Good Luck



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[PacsMan]

Quote:
Thanks!

Our feed store has chick starter, grower, and layer feed. I'm using grower right now, and will user layer in a few weeks.

But, I downloaded a spreadsheet that helps determine protein and fat content. With what I've got, I'm down to about 13% protein. Is fishmeal high in protein, and will it make eggs taste fishy?

 

[Chris09]

fishmeal is around 60% pro. 6% fat

 

[cybercat]

Quote:
Remove the corn for the mash has plenty of it.

add some BOSS
barley
armatha(sp) it is seed grain very high protien (you can grow this makes a lovly plant in a garden but it can get tall with some varites.
alfalfa is great for calcium
If you can get them field peas a good also.

Do a search here for making your own food. There are a number of threads and many have formulas. Just remember you do not need to add corn or soy if using a base chicken bought food like grower or layer for they have enough.

 

[CallyB57]

PacsMan - I mix about 7 lbs. of feed at a time for my chickens - they are about 12-13 wks old. I add 2 heaping tablespoons of fishmeal to the following concoction:

~ 5 lbs standard poultry feed
~ 1.5 pounds scratch grains
2 heaping tablespoons wheat germ
1 teaspoon of food grade DE
~3/4 cup oats

Do you think the 2 heaping tablespoons of fishmeal is enough? I have never given them meat, and they only eat earthworms if they scratch them up on their own when trashing my flowerbeds.

Also, they get extras, such as raw broccoli, cooked mixed veggies, leftover cooked rice, pans of cooked oatmeal with unsweetened applesauce, fresh grass clippings (every day for the grass)

I am worried their diet is not adequate. I left out - about twice a week they get a tablespoon of crushed egg shells which is shared by all 6 chickens and added to their pot of sand.

 

[CallyB57]

Sorry PacsMan - I was speaking to Cyber.

 

[yotetrapper]

This will no doubt cause controversy.... but this is what my chickens have been thriving on for 5 years now.

Cracked corn 30lbs.
Oats 20lbs
Layer mash 50lbs


Oyster shell free choice.

But my chickens also get a lot of scraps (bread, meat, fruits and veggies), and green grass clippings.

Go ahead and tear it apart....too much corn, too little protein, yada yada yada...I guess ya'll forgot to tell my chickens

 

[CallyB57]

Well, I just got my day old chicks back on March 4 and they are still alive, seem to be growing - my light brahma rooster is quite handsome with a slight greenish glow to his black tailfeathers. I'm no expert on ANYTHING, but I haven't hurt them so far...will offer bigger amounts of crushed eggshell in their sand and/or oyster shell to them in another 4-5 weeks, so they can lay eggs with strong shells. The 2 roosters get the same diet as the hens, so hope the calcium does not hurt the roosters...I want them to have strong leg bones because their roosting board is 4.5' off the henhouse floor. The three brahma chickens wait for me to come in the hen house right before dark to put them up on the roost. But they all jump to the floor in the morning, so I want them to have strong legs and ankles.
Does anyone know if chickens have to have small pebbles, or is plain sand sufficient for grinding?