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

 

[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.

Do you have brand recommendations? My flocks are separate and will likely remain so unless they meet up during free range time but i don’t trust those wiley chimkins to stay in the confines of the fenced yard and despite having 1/3 acre of lot space, and a 6ft fence all around. i live in a subdiv so they absolutely be permitted to poop on the neighbor’s porches. The ducks are too front heavy to make it over the fence so if they promise not to lay eggs under the trees in the back 40 resulting in me either missing eggs or searching through the 500 yard space of my yard which resembles an amazon bush, they can have limited access to my yard. Although they have to coop up at night because we have predators and i promised those ladies i would make sure they are safe. Im looking for scratch and feeder trough recommendations. But i also have floating feed for the ducks to try out, and if it works i will continue to give them that as a staple.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Do you have brand recommendations? My flocks are separate and will likely remain so unless they meet up during free range time but i don’t trust those wiley chimkins to stay in the confines of the fenced yard and despite having 1/3 acre of lot space, and a 6ft fence all around. i live in a subdiv so they absolutely be permitted to poop on the neighbor’s porches. The ducks are too front heavy to make it over the fence so if they promise not to lay eggs under the trees in the back 40 resulting in me either missing eggs or searching through the 500 yard space of my yard which resembles an amazon bush, they can have limited access to my yard. Although they have to coop up at night because we have predators and i promised those ladies i would make sure they are safe. Im looking for scratch and feeder trough recommendations. But i also have floating feed for the ducks to try out, and if it works i will continue to give them that as a staple.

I don't recommend brands, I compare labels.

What is consistently available to you, fresh, with a nutritional label you find acceptable, at a price you are will to pay???? That, for you, is Best.

 

[LtDanFan]

Agreed, i guess that’s the advice i give to my clients when they ask about which brands to feed their dogs but i know the levels of nutrients i want i guess i’m just looking for other’s experience of palatability, ease of feeding and acceptance by those eating it. I plan to offer both flocks high quality scratch grains/pecking feed on the ground for both flocks and either pellets or mini pellets (based on availability and cost) in feeders with oyster shells and grit available ad lib on the side. I’m just trying to figure out how to do that. I’ll prob keep with the floating feed for the layer ducks and some other kind of feeder-fed blend for the chickens with the afore mentioned treats, veggies (from my garden or the grocery store availability pending), scratch grains and mealworms or whatever random things they like and scratch grains on the side for both. Even doing this would simplify things greatly for me. Ordering/buying 1 shared scratch formula plus 2 specialized formulas would still be easier than the feeding each stage its own feed feeding scheme i have currently.