Layer protein and brands

[Rethia]

Hi all. Poultry newbie here.

I'm trying to sort through a multitude of options, but I'm willing to pay a bit more for the right feed. I'm trying to find something in the 18-20% protein range that's pretty complete nutritionally and not vegetarian. We have Rural King and TSC nearby as well as some local feed mills, but I'm not even sure what I am looking for specifically as complete nutrition yet.

The flock is a mix of breeds. I couldn't even tell you what some of them are because they came from rural king. I just want the girls to be healthy and the food good for them.

I've seen posts about RK feed, nutrena, Purina, etc. There's so many options, it's a little overwhelming. The hens will eventually be chicken tractoring during the summer and they have a pretty decent sized run outside and will eventually free range, but for the short term with colder weather setting in, just looking for the best food I can get them in the short term while I research what options there are locally for feed.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Read the guaranteed nutritional labels. Simple as that.

Easiest for you, and most frequently recommended here on BYC, is to offer an "All Flock/Flock Raiser" type feed to all of your birds, all of the time. Without regard to age, gender, molt, start of lay, etc. Plus plenty of fresh clean water, a grit source (if needed) and free choice calcium source (generally, oyster shell).

I've not used RK feed, have no comments from experience - store brands are often "bargain" brands, but generally made in the same facilities, and with most of the same ingredients, as leballed brands like Purina and Nutrena.

Purina and Nutrena are both good feeds. The "Nature Wise" series positions itself a bit "up label" of the standard Purina line - you will see some buzz word ingredients, but the actual nutriion is very comparable - and you pay more for the priviledge. Locally, Purina comes in a 50# bag. Nutrena Naturewise sells $1-2 cheaper, but only a 40# bag - so more expensive per # of feed. I've used both with success and ssatisfaction. During the Pandemic, I used Starter/Grower when I couldn't get All Flock, they tend to be near identical nutritionally. Others used All FLock when they couldn't get a Starter/grower for their new birds.

Relax, and welcome to BYC.

If you are really interested, we can tell you the what and whys of most things being measured and the reasons a particular ingredient is - or isn't included.

Or, you can grab some All Flock and not worry about the reasons.

Both methods work.

 

[Rethia]

Read the guaranteed nutritional labels. Simple as that.

Easiest for you, and most frequently recommended here on BYC, is to offer an "All Flock/Flock Raiser" type feed to all of your birds, all of the time. Without regard to age, gender, molt, start of lay, etc. Plus plenty of fresh clean water, a grit source (if needed) and free choice calcium source (generally, oyster shell).

I've not used RK feed, have no comments from experience - store brands are often "bargain" brands, but generally made in the same facilities, and with most of the same ingredients, as leballed brands like Purina and Nutrena.

Purina and Nutrena are both good feeds. The "Nature Wise" series positions itself a bit "up label" of the standard Purina line - you will see some buzz word ingredients, but the actual nutriion is very comparable - and you pay more for the priviledge. Locally, Purina comes in a 50# bag. Nutrena Naturewise sells $1-2 cheaper, but only a 40# bag - so more expensive per # of feed. I've used both with success and ssatisfaction. During the Pandemic, I used Starter/Grower when I couldn't get All Flock, they tend to be near identical nutritionally. Others used All FLock when they couldn't get a Starter/grower for their new birds.

Relax, and welcome to BYC.

If you are really interested, we can tell you the what and whys of most things being measured and the reasons a particular ingredient is - or isn't included.

Or, you can grab some All Flock and not worry about the reasons.

Both methods work.

Thank you, that's really helpful!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thank you, that's really helpful!

Sure. Happy to provide something of use.

and again, Welcome to BYC. I hope you find it as helpful and informative as I have