Is this feed ok?

[mrshuxlee]

Hello. I'm new to having chickens and have already learnt so much from this page. I have been feeding my chooks Peters Poultry free range seed here is the specifics:
Min Crude Protein 15.0%
Min Crude Fat 2.0%
Max Crude Fibre 7.5%
Max Crude Salt (NaCI) <0.5%
Metab. Energy KCAL/KG 2750
Ingredients include:
Wheat, Sorghum, Crushed maize, Crushed lupins and peas, Black sunflower seed, Shell grit, Lucerne chaff, Salt, Linoleic acid, Dicalcium phosphate, Vitamin and mineral pre-mix (containing vitamin A, D3, E, K3, riboflavin (B2), pantothenic acid, niacin, folic acid, B12, manganese, zinc, iron, copper, iodine, selenium and anti-oxidant).

Is this suitable for chooks who free range all day and also get crushed eggs shells and food scraps?

I started with two point of lay chooks and added a 2mth old chick(which they took reasonable well) So far only one chicken is laying. The chicken that took the new chick under her wing does not lay yet.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! The protein level is too low, and seed blends tend to be eaten unevenly; the stuff that tastes best will be gone, and other stuff will sit there. Chicks need better feed, and I'd want to do better for my birds. Mary

 

[AllynTal]

I agree with Mary. The protein content is way too low. I looked at that feed. It seems kinda gimmicky. They advertise as a selling point that the chickens can pick and choose what components of the feed they want and leave the rest. It seems rather wasteful. And they promote that the feed has no meat. Chickens love meat; they're omnivores by nature. I'd go for a better quality feed with a higher protein content and less choice to let them fill up on dessert first.

 

[mrshuxlee]

I noticed they were leaving some behind. I started fermenting it and they gobbled it all down. I might head to the pet shop today to see what I can find. What protein % should i be looking for and is it ok to be feeding all the chooks the same food?

 

[Folly's place]

I feed Purina Flock Raiser, a totally balanced all-flock feed, to all my chickens, with oyster shell on the side, and it works very well. The pet store likely won't sell chicken feed, go to a farm feed store instead. Always buy fresh! No older than three weeks from production, and use it up within another two weeks or so. Some vitamins are being lost over a fairly short time, and it matters. Good food pays off!!! Mary

 

[mobius]

You could add fish meal to bring up the protein but that involves math. Fermenting is a great idea. They should eat all of their food. Mine do. Also not mentioned in the ingredients: lysine and methionine, two very important amino acids for chickens.

I agree, any chicken feed seller worth their salt would never sell feed less than 16% protein at the bare minimum.

I ferment my organic feed and my chickens eat ALL of it every day. The feed
i chose includes amounts of the amino acids on the label.

 

[Folly's place]

Fermenting that feed won't make it a balanced diet; they can eat all of it daily, and it's still deficient. There are many (several?) quality all-flock feeds available nationwide, and maybe local mills doing good work too. I hope the OP finds something better for his birds! Mary

 

[mobius]

Fermenting that feed won't make it a balanced diet; they can eat all of it daily, and it's still deficient. There are many (several?) quality all-flock feeds available nationwide, and maybe local mills doing good work too. I hope the OP finds something better for his birds! Mary

No no I agree Mary, although fermenting is said to raise the protein level. I was thinking fermenting and maybe adding some fish meal at the same time. Sorry if I wasn't clear, just wanted to indicate the OP was headed in the right direction....

But you will note I did call the amino acids into question...and the level of protein...I did...

 

[ShrekDawg]

I think the OP is in another country, no? Based off how they said fiber (fibre) and corn (maize). They might not have the same foods. BUT. Purina and Nutrena are pretty popular, large brands and should hopefully be available there! Look for either a layer feed or an all flock/flock raiser type feed. But be advised that layer feed is bad for birds not laying because the excess calcium builds up and can hurt the kidneys eventually. So until they all lay and even after I'd look for all flock/flock raiser. OR. Look for a starter/grower feed. As long as it's not medicated, it's fine for the older birds. Provide oyster shell on the side not just egg shell.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Oh and grit is important for disgestion too. They don't have teeth so store grit (crushed rocks) in the crop to help grind food up