Laying mash vs 20% grower?

[mtnhomechick]

I would think if grower is ok for laying hens it would be a better choice since it's higher protein. I also give oyster shell but we have such a high calcium content in our well water that I don't really think it's necessary. I just do it. The shells are very hard and I have the red sex link.

 

[MRNpoultry]

Since the 50 pound bag of 20% grower (the complete food) is $15.19 and the 50 pound bag of 16% laying mash (not a complete food) is $13.29 plus the 5 pound bag of oyster shell at $6.29….what it comes down to is which food is better for the chickens since the cost is virtually the same?

If you are feeding your full grown hens layer you want have to buy oyster shell. But if your feed them grower you will give them oyster shell. Since the grower has less calcium. Then it is cheaper to feed them the layer. Layer whould then be only 13.29 and the Grower 21 dollers.

MRN​

 

[jorgey]

I'm feeding my hens layer crumbles (Nutrena) that have 20% protein.

My local feed store has layer crumbles and pellets in both 16% and 20% protein and the difference in price is maybe $0.50 between the two. I think that the higher protein is better. Mine free range a little bit, but I feel that the higher protein satisfies their protein craving and helps them not want to pick at each other and/or pick/pull/eat feathers.

Also, even though the layer feed has a higher calcium content than grower, I still supplement them with oyster shells too. It's there in a feeder for them 24hrs and they can eat it if they want to, and really, they don't eat much of it. I think that it is worth doing.

 

[pkeeler]

My next question is when you are reading about raising chicks what I have read tells me to feed starter\\grower and nothing else because it is a complete food. When you switch to laying mash you need to offer oyster shell along with it.

Yes, feed starter to chicks. But once they lay an egg, that is a sign they are adults. When the feed companies use the word, "layer" in the feed name, that means it is massively supplemented with calcium. You would not need to offer oyster shell. Some still do because it is relatively cheap. If you offer a feed that is not labeled, "layer" you definitely should offer oyster shell (or ground egg shells).

All commercial feeds are complete feeds for the growth stage they target. I'm not sure why you think the layer feed is not a complete feed for adult chickens.

As I said before the eggs they are laying have very strong shells so they must be getting enough calcium in the food they are getting now (plus the forage)….unless the need for calcium will gradually go up as they begin to produce more eggs.

No doubt free range hens can come up with calcium sources now. Bugs are great sources of calcium. Cows produce all that milk just eating grass. In the natural world, chickens don't lay so many eggs and time it for seasons with great natural calcium availability. So, I would offer layer feed or oyster shell during winter at least.​

 

[BettyR]

Quote:

No doubt free range hens can come up with calcium sources now. Bugs are great sources of calcium. Cows produce all that milk just eating grass. In the natural world, chickens don't lay so many eggs and time it for seasons with great natural calcium availability. So, I would offer layer feed or oyster shell during winter at least.

That answers all my questions...next batch of feed will be layer feed. Thank you so much!!​

 

[ninjapoodles]

Quote:
I actually wrote to Purina with some questions about feeding their formulas to mixed flocks, and they basically said that the only "safe" way to do it, if all ages are mixed together, is to feed starter or grower and offer free-choice oyster shell for the laying hens.

I asked about Flock Raiser and was told that it was only for young birds (which kinda sorta seemed to contradict the above advice). From their website:

Purina Mills

Flock Raiser

SunFresh

Recipe is specially formulated for raising a mixed flock of poultry until laying age (18-20 weeks).​