Just feeding whatever...

[ChknMama50]

It's not like I'm feeding them separately. I have 1 rooster and 3 hens. I've read that layer isn't good for roosters and the all-flock protein is good for everyone, so best to feed all flock and offer oyster shell on the side.

But that's not really my question. My question was if there was some problem just buying a bag of different brands whenever or if one brand should be stuck to.

It SHOULD be ;-) but sounds like so far your girls have been doing good adjusting! Can't get any more eggs really at least- have you noticed any health issues?? If they're happy and healthy then rejoice and keep on truckin' girl! I'm LONGING for those days...

 

[Lilion]

It SHOULD be ;-) but sounds like so far your girls have been doing good adjusting! Can't get any more eggs really at least- have you noticed any health issues?? If they're happy and healthy then rejoice and keep on truckin' girl! I'm LONGING for those days...

Thanks! They do seem very happy and healthy. I do admit to giving them probably too many scraps. But 90% of that is veggies scraps and henbit, dandelion, chickweed, etc out of my lawn. I feel bad that they don't get to free range and forage.

 

[ChknMama50]

Thanks! They do seem very happy and healthy. I do admit to giving them probably too many scraps. But 90% of that is veggies scraps and henbit, dandelion, chickweed, etc out of my lawn. I feel bad that they don't get to free range and forage.

I am NOoo expert but do know that a balanced formulated commercial food should provide them with all they need nutritionally- plus giving them access to calcium source (like oyster shells) to peck from as needed- I’ve read they will take what they need… though I have a few who I never see doing so who need it but I digress) as well as grit… I throw it out in the run often and am in the process of switching over to natural “River sand” (vs play sand which is ground up granite etc and I think issues with silica etc)… point being even if they didn’t get out to forage in the yard, the sand has multiple sizes of pebbles they get when picking at this and that… but dealing with crop issue has made me plenty paranoid- even though they’ve always had it, I’m not risking it
I think it’s a human compulsion to think we are showing live by giving them “treats” but often it simply causes more harm than good! I’ve never given much scrap food as they would get messy poos from even a little lettuce/Or other greens…I tend to use something like BSFL (black soldier fly larvae- looks a lot like meal worms and they love it even more but it’s got like a LOT more calcium than those and is a good source of protein… though many in forums like this will say “those mealworms are high in fat and can lead to fatty liver disease”… ?! I say everything in moderation following suggested amounts and subscribe to quality of what treats I do give for their health even though they think it’s crack!

**Did want to also mention- be careful bringing in grasses from the yard- don’t give them long fibrous ones as they CAN get a crop impaction- have read done nightmares!! We keep our pasture cut pretty short and have managed to reduce the long weeds like that by putting down clover seed etc….
Trust me, I get it… used to offer little bits of grass blades and the little flower tops they liked thru the wire when they couldn’t come out! It’s hard as they then want to stay till bedtime and we’ve got a lot of hawks and even eagles in the area so we like to be out there hoping it’ll at least discourage an attack not sure they care but…

Again though if they’re healthy and laying like that you’ve been doing a good job!! Enjoy their health…. It seems it can go so quickly!!

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

I change brands all the time, based on what's on sale. My chickens don't have a problem with it and I think it's good to vary things a little. But like others have said, layer feed is not ideal for a rooster and can be harmful in the long run. But I kinda doubt a bag occasionally will be that big of a deal. Just try to get the non-layer whenever you can.

 

[NatJ]

black soldier fly larvae- looks a lot like meal worms and they love it even more but it’s got like a LOT more calcium than those and is a good source of protein

Yes, they have a much higher calcium level than mealworms have, but it is still not high enough to matter much. The labels I've read show them having a calcium percent ranging from less than 1% (similar to chick starter) up to around 5% (a little higher than most layer feeds.) Those levels in chicken feed are meant to provide all the calcium a chicken needs if they eat nothing else all day-- which is NOT the way anyone recommends using black soldier fly larvae!

For any reasonable amount of either treat, they don't give enough calcium to matter much.

 

[TOR]

That was the plan. I'm actually more concerned with switching brands frequently. Does it really matter?

NO, feed meets your chickens needs and they eat it. Unless you are buying a special feed like a no soy feed, as mentioned many of the the bagged feeds are similar.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Glad to see this thread because I'm on 20years and for the life I me I can't even tell you Manufacturer names. I guess Layena, uhhh truth is I don't really know who else, I just grab bags of same protein content, layer crumble or all flock (I always have oyster shell offering too,) and clearly I don't even know who made it. It has never mattered. Just "what it is," matters to me, not "who made it."

 

[ChknMama50]

Yes, they have a much higher calcium level than mealworms have, but it is still not high enough to matter much. The labels I've read show them having a calcium percent ranging from less than 1% (similar to chick starter) up to around 5% (a little higher than most layer feeds.) Those levels in chicken feed are meant to provide all the calcium a chicken needs if they eat nothing else all day-- which is NOT the way anyone recommends using black soldier fly larvae!

For any reasonable amount of either treat, they don't give enough calcium to matter much.

Good grief- I give up ;-) lol.... people are WAY too literal and "ate up" on this food issue....haha pun intended!!
NEVER implied to give them (BSFL) as their SOURCE of calcium!?! But even your stats prove it's pretty good for a "treat"!!
I feed my chickens layer feed- Going WAYYY back to my original post, I was asking if anyone had a problem with it- as it's 'newer'- saw first time in fall... "Purina Layena PLUS Omega 3" mini-pellets.
I was nicely trying to tell someone to not feed too many scraps and extras and if they want to feed a nice snack was simply pointing out that they are better than mealworms....won't even go there to say I don't like how most are sourced from China- WHO knows whose feather's that'll ruffle

Point was also (esp) that it's another good source of ADDITIONAL different source of protein needed for times of stress such as when they're molting... kinda like scrambled or chopped eggs or SMALL amts of greek yogurt/kefir to also provide some probiotics....
Who knows who that will get going
Peace out y'all....back to worrying about REAL serious problems- not food debates ;-)

 

[NatJ]

Good grief- I give up ;-) lol.... people are WAY too literal and "ate up" on this food issue....haha pun intended!!
NEVER implied to give them (BSFL) as their SOURCE of calcium!?! But even your stats prove it's pretty good for a "treat"!!
I feed my chickens layer feed- Going WAYYY back to my original post, I was asking if anyone had a problem with it- as it's 'newer'- saw first time in fall... "Purina Layena PLUS Omega 3" mini-pellets.
I was nicely trying to tell someone to not feed too many scraps and extras and if they want to feed a nice snack was simply pointing out that they are better than mealworms....won't even go there to say I don't like how most are sourced from China- WHO knows whose feather's that'll ruffle

Point was also (esp) that it's another good source of ADDITIONAL different source of protein needed for times of stress such as when they're molting... kinda like scrambled or chopped eggs or SMALL amts of greek yogurt/kefir to also provide some probiotics....
Who knows who that will get going
Peace out y'all....back to worrying about REAL serious problems- not food debates ;-)

I wanted to make sure that your comment about "a lot more calcium" didn't get taken too far by anyone (you or someone new to chickens), and lead to a problem. In the past few months, I have seen at least two cases where people honestly thought certain foods were high enough in calcium to be the main source in a layer's diet-- but the foods in question were horribly deficient for a laying hen, even though they would be "good sources" of calcium to a person.

Yes, as a treat they are fine.

 

[ChknMama50]

I wanted to make sure that your comment about "a lot more calcium" didn't get taken too far by anyone (you or someone new to chickens), and lead to a problem. In the past few months, I have seen at least two cases where people honestly thought certain foods were high enough in calcium to be the main source in a layer's diet-- but the foods in question were horribly deficient for a laying hen, even though they would be "good sources" of calcium to a person.

Yes, as a treat they are fine.

I hear ya- like I said- WAY too intense for me and I'm just gonna peace out and keep my big mouth shut- cause you are right- and people can be VERY, well, let's say well meaning and not so informed ;-)
I will not comment further!! Cause I AM tired dealing with two sick chickies and what I had meant to say without even looking back at what I did say is that it's "a lot more calcium THAN MEALWORMS"....but yeah- can see someone saying "but I saw someone say they had LOTS of calcium"....
They are conveniently forgetting the advice EVERYWHERE and then some that NOTHING be more than 10% of their diet above their fully balanced commercially made food ;-)

best of luck- good lookin out!!