Layer feed and roosters?

[jstlitlome]

My chickies are 13 1/2 weeks old and I have started looking into an organic feed supply for when they start laying. I know I have 1 -2 months to go, but wanted to get a head start. (especially since one of my barred rocks are looking a little red in the face) I have had them on medicated chick starter/grower crumbles but want to switch them to all organic once they start laying.

I looked on the BYC organic feed list and was THRILLED that there was a supplier close by!

I sent them an email asking if they have a feed without the calcium in it, as I have 2 roosters and wanted to offer the calcium to the hens free choice.

They replied saying: Aragonite is sea shells and corral that comes from the Bahamas. They have to dredge the shipping lanes down there 6 months of a year. That aragonite is placed on barges and shipped to the East coast. It is the purest calcium carbonite in the world. It does not cause any problems with roosters like oyster shells.

The ingredients are cracked corn, roasted soybeans, milo, wheat, Fertrell Pountry Nutribalancer (probiotics, vitamins and minerals), all organic grains.

I would love to use them, as they are so local.

My questions are:

1) are they right that the Aragonite will not hurt my roosters?

2) Does 27.88 for a 50 pound bag sound good?

3)Can I start feeding the whole flock layer feed if just one or two of my hens start laying much earlier than the others?

Thanks so much!

Leslie

 

[Johnn]

I just give my cockerel normal layers feed all his life and he made it to 9 then died a couple of weeks ago...

 

[barnaclebob]

Be very weary of "green", "natural", or "healthier" advertising of any kind and do your own research. Most companies don't have your best interest at heart.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Who on earth is answering that company's e-mail??? That makes no sense to me at all.

 

[jstlitlome]

I thought it was an odd response myself. This is an all organic farm that also sells organic beef, pork and veggies. They claim to have not used any pesticides on the property since 1996. The email seemed as if they sent my questions to the supplier who responded to me, so not sure the feed is made at that location. I have another option but it is a couple of hours away. :-(

 

[Eggcessive]

Calcium carbonate is calcium carbonate, whether it is from the Bahamas, oyster shell, or crushed egg shells fed back to chickens. Roosters can live on layer feed with 3 times the calcium they need, or you can just always use flock raiser, 20% protein, and add calcium in whatever form you prefer on the side where the laying hens can get some. High amounts of calcium are not good for the kidneys of roosters and chicks before laying age, so I just prefer the flock raiser. That way if they free range, they are getting a little extra protein in their feed.

 

[jstlitlome]

Thank you! That's what I thought!

I will continue to pursue local organic feed.

 

[ChickenJerk]

Oyster shell as packaged by two major companies for poultry use is dredged from ancient beds far at sea. It is not a byproduct of today's oysters for food industry.

I would certainly think it would qualify as organic.

There is no earthly reason to think that feeding male chickens layer feed with extra calcium will make them gay.

 

[jstlitlome]

Oyster shell as packaged by two major companies for poultry use is dredged from ancient beds far at sea. It is not a byproduct of today's oysters for food industry.

I would certainly think it would qualify as organic.

There is no earthly reason to think that feeding male chickens layer feed with extra calcium will make them gay.