layena vs flockraiser

[vnploveschickens]

I use Purina FlockRaiser with all the chickens, the hens, "toddlers", rooster. I just have a separate dish of oyster shell for the layers. They just know if they need the extra calcium.
My flock also have free range time. And they do get treats, rice, scrambled eggs, BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds), scratch, oatmeal, bananas, cut-up grapes and other fruits & veggies.

 

[BarredBuff]

As of now I am using flock raiser because I have a brooder full of chicks that will be bunking with the adults along with a broody hen, so I use it because everyone can have it. I also supplement with oyster shell.

 

[bantam_n00b]

darn it so i just basically wasted my money buying the purina start and grow then? I bought flockraiser and the start and grow. Also what exactly are the drawbacks of using medicated chick feed, i know it prevents coccidiostant but i heard there are drawbacks on using medicated?

 

[faykokoWV]

If you have chicks you can still feed the start and grow. You can feed that until the bag is gone and then switch them to the flock raiser. You can always supplement feed. I'm not sure of the nutritional differences of the start and grow vs the flock raiser but the percentages should be on the bag or at the purina web site

edited to add the purina web site shows 18% protein on start and grow and the exact same ingrediants in Flock Raiser except it has 20% protein. Layena

contains high calcium levels to support strong eggshell formation while maintaining a healthy skeleton. In addition, Layena

is fortified with manganese to enhance shell quality - it does not mention the protein content of the Layena

 

[bantam_n00b]

Well i got the medicated start and grow, i heard if they eat too much of that it can make the chicks dizzy? Anyone know anything about that?

 

[acid_chipmunk]

I've never heard that. How old are your chicks? Chicks can essentially stay on Start and Grow until they start laying, but your layers shouldn't eat it. Use the bag up and switch everyone over to the Flock Raiser with free choice Oyster shell for your layers. They will know when they need it and get it.

 

[bantam_n00b]

Quote:
The chicks are about 3 weeks old. But yeah i dont know if its me but i think theyre growing pretty slow. I was looking at pictures of other chicks online at 4 weeks old and i was thinking thats how theyre supposed to look at 4 weeks old. Ha oh well we'll see in a week.

 

[roosterboy009]

The one important thing to keep in mind is to never feed the chicks Layena, or any egg layer feed. The higher concentration of calcium will damage their kidneys and result in significant chick loss.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

The bag of Flock Raiser has printed on the front "for starting and growing your entire mixed flock of poultry" and on the back shows a chart saying it should be fed up to 18 weeks, then switch to Layena. So I always thought it was just for raising young stock to maturity. I guess some folks use it successfully for other, older birds. You could always call Purina and get their advice, they have a great customer service center for support & advice.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I prefer to use starter/grower for chicken chicks up to eight weeks then I switch them over to Flock Raiser from that point on. Oyster shell on the side when they start to lay.

For game bird chicks such as turkeys Flock Raiser is too low in protein. I use game bird starter for those then move them over to Flock Raiser at eight weeks as well.