Layer feed???

[vazquez1227]

Need help picking a good and affordable "Layer Feed". I have a Rhode Island and Delaware chick. It's about time I introduce them to layer feed but I want to be sure I get something good but definitely affordable. I've read of what they need in a layer feed.

 

[JudysMuscovy]

I buy Purina layena feed, noticed a big difference in egg laying. Plus they love it, it has everything that they need in one bag.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! It's fine to feed an all-flock feed forever, with oyster shell on the side. It will have a higher protein and general nutrient level than layer feed, a good thing IMO.
I feed Purina Flock Raiser to everyone, all ages, layers and not, and it's been a very good choice for me.
Good food pays off!
Select something that has a recent mill date (on the bag somewhere, within one month) at your local feed stores, and get a quantity that you will use up within a couple of weeks. After about six weeks from the mill date, it's getting old!
If you plan to feed layer, wait until all the pullets are laying eggs, and have oyster shell on the side.
Chicken feed is cheap/ pound, even the good stuff!
Mary

 

[rjohns39]

Here's a link to two farms within 100 miles of you that are Ferrell dealers. Odds are they either make feed or will know someone who does. Cost is driven by a variety of factors: GMO is cheaper than Non-GMO, Non-GMO is cheaper than organic. etc. Depending on cost and if they're willing to sell it, it might be cheaper to by a bag from them on occasion. I pay $11/50# bag for my non-GMO layer. Just an fyi, the bag costs $2.50. So if you have a container and find a willing farmer willing to sell you a portion of their feed that could save you a few bucks.

 

[lazy gardener]

With only 2 birds (if I'm reading correctly) your biggest challenge is going to be providing them with feed that does not go stale before you use it up. Feed quickly starts to oxidixe, meaning that the nutrients in it break down within 6 weeks of milling. You can find the mill date on the bottom tape on a feed bag. So, there's no way you can use up a 50# bag of feed before the nutrients are degraded and the feed is rancid. I would suggest you look on your state thread to see if you can find a flock keeper near you who will split a bag of feed with you.

 

[Cooley gypsum]

Welcome! It's fine to feed an all-flock feed forever, with oyster shell on the side. It will have a higher protein and general nutrient level than layer feed, a good thing IMO.
I feed Purina Flock Raiser to everyone, all ages, layers and not, and it's been a very good choice for me.
Good food pays off!
Select something that has a recent mill date (on the bag somewhere, within one month) at your local feed stores, and get a quantity that you will use up within a couple of weeks. After about six weeks from the mill date, it's getting old!
If you plan to feed layer, wait until all the pullets are laying eggs, and have oyster shell on the side.
Chicken feed is cheap/ pound, even the good stuff!
Mary

I know this was a while ago, but I have a similar question... I have 3 8-9 mo pullets that haven't started laying yet and 2 older hens that are laying. Can I switch the non laying hens to layer feed? This is confusing!

 

[wamtazlady]

I know this was a while ago, but I have a similar question... I have 3 8-9 mo pullets that haven't started laying yet and 2 older hens that are laying. Can I switch the non laying hens to layer feed? This is confusing!

It's best not to give layer feed to chickens that are not laying. It would not hurt your older hens to be changed to an All Flock feed. As has been said earlier, you just need to add a dish of oyster shells on the side. The chickens that need more calcium, the layers, will eat the oyster shell while the others will leave it alone.

I feed All Flock all the time. It's easier that way than to separate the birds so some get layer and the others get All Flock. Feeding a layer feed will not make your chickens lay more eggs. It just supplies the calcium they lose when laying eggs.

 

[Cooley gypsum]

It's best not to give layer feed to chickens that are not laying. It would not hurt your older hens to be changed to an All Flock feed. As has been said earlier, you just need to add a dish of oyster shells on the side. The chickens that need more calcium, the layers, will eat the oyster shell while the others will leave it alone.

I feel All Flock all the time. It's easier that way than to separate the birds so some get layer and the others get All Flock. Feeding a layer feed will not make your chickens lay more eggs. It just supplies the calcium they lose when laying eggs.

Thanks! Back to the feed store I go...

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Affordability is also a matter of shopping around.
Each brand of feed can vary by as much as 4 or 5 dollars on a 40 or 50 lb. bag depending on where I get it.
As for feeding 2 chickens before it loses nutrients. Some feed stores will sell by the pound or at least in 5 and 10 pound bags.
Or you could freeze a bunch.