Layer feed??!! Mixed age flock.

[2 Acres]

All flock or grower feed for everyone, oyster shell available for your layers.

It's really that simple

Keep in mind that roosters have different requirements. (As I'm finding out).Too much of a good thing for one, can be a bad thing.

 

[LtDanFan]

Can I jump in here with another question - what is the type of feeding bin that people prefer? I cannot land on anything that seems to really work and stick.

I give mine multiple options because im neurotic and birds are too. I have bucket feeders outside that they can stick their heads in, i have a trough they can peck and go from and i sprinkle feed on the ground for them to peck and scratch at. In addition to the various peppers, cabbage, berries, greens, etc that i offer on the ground. I think you should find a feeder you like and they will adjust. Chickens are curious by nature and will figure it out if you leave them enough clues.

 

[LtDanFan]

@LtDanFan , I find a decent all flock, all the time, with free choice fresh clean water, and a calcium source (i.e. oyster shell) results in good early growth, reasonably fast, lower stress molts, and excellent egg production w/ good viability.

In theory, an "All Flock"-type feed will contain extra niacin (the ducks need). The excess won't hurt your chickens. May still not be enough niacin if you are raising Pekins, their needs are about the highest (easy to fix w/ some nutritional yeast). Sadly, Niacin is not required to appear on a guaranteed feed label. One of our fellow BYC members contacted Purina and Nutrina about their Flock Raiser / All Flock formulations a few years ago, confirmed they had adequate Niacin amounts for adult Pekins (55mg/kg feed). If you use a local mill, you will need to check with them. We assume (possibly erroneously) Purina and Nutrena haven't altered their nutritional targets too much since.

Which all flock do you use? I am leaning toward a floating waterfowl feed (like Mazuri) for the ducks plus something they can eat off the ground for variety along with something i can sprinkle in the chicken yard while supplementing calcium and giving them a “layer” option in a feeder.
I figure this way, they can choose what they want to eat or not eat but im not forcing them to eat anything they don't need or would be harmful.

 

[Pebbles25]

We give our mixed flock of Roos, pullets and hens growers feed and feed the laying hens egg shells and oyster shell grit. I frequently see them eating snail shells as well!

 

[Pebbles25]

I use grandpas feeders, they are galvanised treadle feeders