Kalmbach Feed - Any Reviews?

[EggSighted4Life]

I realize the advertising for the Kalmbach feed says that it is for ducks, and all other poultry types as well, but is it really? All by itself or with additional niacin?

Let me clear this up for you.. I hope.

I have used both feeds..

Kalmbach once (100# chicken starter) since it is a more regional feed and not available in my area on a regular basis.. it smelled good, yes it did! I would totally use it again, and try the 20% "flock maker".

Purina flock raiser is what I've fed for years now since making the switch away from layer for all the same reasons (mixed gender, age, species). It's readily available, freshly milled, with good results. I DID use it for raising ducklings from start through finish. Niacin is not required to be listed on the guaranteed analysis for poultry feed by law and is often not included either. I contacted Purina and they replied the FR has 55mg/kg of niacin.. which is enough for *most* ducklings.. Jumbo Pekin may need more. No, I never personally saw angel wing or leg issues. I too have gotten bad bags of feed from Purina, I buy a LOT. 1 batch I got 3/5 were returned to the store (which is WHY I think they quit selling pellets as it's easier to hide smaller moldy pieces in crumble) There was no outer moisture damage to package and it was in the center of the bag (I'm SURE things happen occasionally, and haven't had cause for concern since), who also owns/makes many other brands including Nature Wise and Dumor.

By law in the US, feeds MUST be labeled with the species and age range the feed is appropriate for where the feeding directions are. Not the same as what may be pictured on the front. That means they meet the MINIMUM nutrient guidelines set by AAFCO??... not the ideal, preferred, maximum, or best nutritional value... just good enough for the industry at large. (Big Chicken)

I would say... one key to how well (all) birds do that should not be overlooked when comparing feeds is specifically amino acids content.

For me... there are 2 Purina mills in California that I know of. It's either that, Wature Wise, or Dumor. I prefer the Purina and it's with 1 cent per # difference for the same approximate formulation.

I know that I’ll have to add Brewers Yeast to the duck feed when I finally change the ducks over to either the Purina FR or the Kalmbach FM.

No, I disagree (and never did)... unless nutrients are also being diminished by excess treats or as mentioned above Jumbo Pekin breed. But I would consider contacting Kalmbach and asking how much niacin if it isn't listed on the bag, tag or @Kiki feed comparison thread already.

The only issue I had was not with Kalmbach Feeds it self but the place I purchased from had old stock.

I had that issue even with the Purina flock raiser at one of my (very small) LFS. I no longer shop there with reason, unfortunately. She ordered by the pallet but without the turnover it was 6+ months past mill date. Fresh stock and volume turn over are definitely key in my experience with feed choices and dictate them heavily. I always look at dates and not afraid to change feed or say something to store keeper if needed. While some nutrients may be stabilized, most will be diminishing with time... and more rapidly when exposed to light, air, heat, moisture, etc. So storage conditions may be a factor, especially in hot regions warehouses, trucking, even your garage, etc.

I mostly share my eggs also. But it sure feels fantastic when someone brings by some homemade cookies or bread, some fresh caught and cleaned fish, homemade jam or ice cream, fresh garden fruits and veggies.. even dog treats.

But ducks ate me out of house and home (possibly breed related), so weren't for me in the end. Still was a wonderful adventure, such cool animals loaded with character and so different than chickens.

Happy adventures!

ETA: Ducks and game birds have higher nutrient needs than chickens starting out.. no way in hell (sorry) would I feed that to start turkeys with.. and seeing it makes me. Now I need to know.. that's throwing major red flags about being an unscrupulous company... I don't know WHAT the law says, but turkeys do need more protein than that from EVERYTHING I've read.
http://www.poultryhub.org/nutrition/nutrient-requirements/nutrient-requirements-of-turkeys/

But, it *looks* fine for ducks.. again make contact and ask for a complete analysis.

Here is duck nutrition info, and a good general resource...
https://www.metzerfarms.com/NutritionalRequirements.cfm?affiliate=undef&CustID=25222325

 

[Mimi13]

@Mimi13 In my opinion Kalmbach Feed is superior to Purina so you are not skimping by any means. I have personally used the Kalmbach flock maker in pellet and it is a great feed. I no longer have Turkeys so I went back to a chicken feed. The only issue I had was not with Kalmbach Feeds it self but the place I purchased from had old stock.

Yes, OLD FEED! A real pet peeve of mine. I have visited several different TSCs trying to find fresh feed. And by fresh I mean a mill date < 3 months old.

 

[RoosterML]

Yes, OLD FEED! A real pet peeve of mine. I have visited several different TSCs trying to find fresh feed. And by fresh I mean a mill date < 3 months old.

I will say my local TSC has fresh mill dates for the most part.
Luckily I have several mom and pops around to help support and also carry what I feel is a higher quality feed for the same if not cheaper. I really wanted to stay with Kalmbach but was really ticked off with the last batch I picked up. I specifically ask if it was fresh they said yes we get it every week. I should have checked before I left. When I got home I looked and it was just over 6 months old. I took it back. Long story short the person tried telling me I wasn’t able to determine the mill date. To keep it short I decided to educate her on how to read a date code on a feed bag. I think they were embarrassed about it to be honest. Won’t be going back there unless needed.

 

[daltonaritonjr]

Well the muffin mix smell appeals to me.

Do you know the answer to my dilemma? Would I need to add the brewers yeast to the ducks’ food?

 

[Mimi13]

Let me clear this up for you.. I hope.

I have used both feeds..

Kalmbach once (100# chicken starter) since it is a more regional feed and not available in my area on a regular basis.. it smelled good, yes it did! I would totally use it again, and try the 20% "flock maker".

Purina flock raiser is what I've fed for years now since making the switch away from layer for all the same reasons (mixed gender, age, species). It's readily available, freshly milled, with good results. I DID use it for raising ducklings from start through finish. Niacin is not required to be listed on the guaranteed analysis for poultry feed by law and is often not included either. I contacted Purina and they replied the FR has 55mg/kg of niacin.. which is enough for *most* ducklings.. Jumbo Pekin may need more. No, I never personally saw angel wing or leg issues. I too have gotten bad bags of feed from Purina, I buy a LOT. 1 batch I got 3/5 were returned to the store (which is WHY I think they quit selling pellets as it's easier to hide smaller moldy pieces in crumble) There was no outer moisture damage to package and it was in the center of the bag (I'm SURE things happen occasionally, and haven't had cause for concern since), who also owns/makes many other brands including Nature Wise and Dumor.

By law in the US, feeds MUST be labeled with the species and age range the feed is appropriate for where the feeding directions are. Not the same as what may be pictured on the front. That means they meet the MINIMUM nutrient guidelines set by AAFCO??... not the ideal, preferred, maximum, or best nutritional value... just good enough for the industry at large. (Big Chicken)

I would say... one key to how well (all) birds do that should not be overlooked when comparing feeds is specifically amino acids content.

For me... there are 2 Purina mills in California that I know of. It's either that, Wature Wise, or Dumor. I prefer the Purina and it's with 1 cent per # difference for the same approximate formulation.


No, I disagree (and never did)... unless nutrients are also being diminished by excess treats or as mentioned above Jumbo Pekin breed. But I would consider contacting Kalmbach and asking how much niacin if it isn't listed on the bag, tag or @Kiki feed comparison thread already.


I had that issue even with the Purina flock raiser at one of my (very small) LFS. I no longer shop there with reason, unfortunately. She ordered by the pallet but without the turnover it was 6+ months past mill date. Fresh stock and volume turn over are definitely key in my experience with feed choices and dictate them heavily. I always look at dates and not afraid to change feed or say something to store keeper if needed. While some nutrients may be stabilized, most will be diminishing with time... and more rapidly when exposed to light, air, heat, moisture, etc. So storage conditions may be a factor, especially in hot regions warehouses, trucking, even your garage, etc.

I mostly share my eggs also. But it sure feels fantastic when someone brings by some homemade cookies or bread, some fresh caught and cleaned fish, homemade jam or ice cream, fresh garden fruits and veggies.. even dog treats.

But ducks ate me out of house and home (possibly breed related), so weren't for me in the end. Still was a wonderful adventure, such cool animals loaded with character and so different than chickens.

Happy adventures!

ETA: Ducks and game birds have higher nutrient needs than chickens starting out.. no way in hell (sorry) would I feed that to start turkeys with.. and seeing it makes me. Now I need to know.. that's throwing major red flags about being an unscrupulous company... I don't know WHAT the law says, but turkeys do need more protein than that from EVERYTHING I've read.
http://www.poultryhub.org/nutrition/nutrient-requirements/nutrient-requirements-of-turkeys/

But, it *looks* fine for ducks.. again make contact and ask for a complete analysis.

Here is duck nutrition info, and a good general resource...
https://www.metzerfarms.com/NutritionalRequirements.cfm?affiliate=undef&CustID=25222325

Thank you for ALL this wonderful information. I’m not quite sure how I completely forgot to respond to it - I actually thought I had. CRS is popping its cruel head up again!

I did contact Kalmbach Feeds last week and a nutritionist called me back. Based on what he said the 20% Flock Maker contains enough niacin for the ducks without having to supplement with something such as Brewers Yeast, since I don’t have any exceptionally large breeds. Now whether that “enough” he mentioned was only the bare minimum needed (as you stated) I do not know. I’m just not sure why these things are so difficult. And, another Kalmbach setback was the clerk at the supplier I was planning on using said they stopped selling the Flock Maker, only selling Layer and Meat Bird. Dang it! I was just speaking to them over the phone, but next time I am able to go into the store, I want to talk to the manager about putting 5-6 bags of the Flock Maker into his monthly order for me. I don’t reckon it’ll hurt to ask.

 

[Mimi13]

I will say my local TSC has fresh mill dates for the most part.
Luckily I have several mom and pops around to help support and also carry what I feel is a higher quality feed for the same if not cheaper. I really wanted to stay with Kalmbach but was really ticked off with the last batch I picked up. I specifically ask if it was fresh they said yes we get it every week. I should have checked before I left. When I got home I looked and it was just over 6 months old. I took it back. Long story short the person tried telling me I wasn’t able to determine the mill date. To keep it short I decided to educate her on how to read a date code on a feed bag. I think they were embarrassed about it to be honest. Won’t be going back there unless needed.

It should be a requirement for employees at these type stores to be a bit knowledgeable on certain things, with feed and medicine being two of the most important. Grrrrr, idiots abound!

 

[RoosterML]

It should be a requirement for employees at these type stores to be a bit knowledgeable on certain things, with feed and medicine being two of the most important. Grrrrr, idiots abound!

agree

 

[Perfectnoise425]

Just wondering if you are still using this? I switched to kalmbach a couple bags ago. They really like it! They seem to eat more of it than what I was using (Dumor..I know it's not the greatest but they also have alot of free range)
The only thing is some of my gals have some pretty messy poos. It has been 90 here and they they alot of watermelon. I want to switch to the non-GMO. What I am really wondering is it worth it and has anyone had problems switching to this brand specifically. Not to steal your thread

 

[RoosterML]

Just wondering if you are still using this? I switched to kalmbach a couple bags ago. They really like it! They seem to eat more of it than what I was using (Dumor..I know it's not the greatest but they also have alot of free range)
The only thing is some of my gals have some pretty messy poos. It has been 90 here and they they alot of watermelon. I want to switch to the non-GMO. What I am really wondering is it worth it and has anyone had problems switching to this brand specifically. Not to steal your thread

Kalmbach is great feed.
No I am no longer using it because of how old the feed was at my supplier. I now use Poulin Grain which I can get fresh.

 

[Perfectnoise425]

Kalmbach is great feed.
No I am no longer using it because of how old the feed was at my supplier. I now use Poulin Grain which I can get fresh.

See there wasnt a mill date on the bottom of my bag this past time and I thought that was odd. They have a boy who puts it in your vehicle so, I dont get to pick it out.
We are switching feed stores and the new one has the non gmo. I of course also dont want to go broke feeding them either. If they keep having messy poops I'm switching back to Dumor unfortunately.