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Thanks Eric, hadn't thought about the broiler crumbles. So are they like the "crumlet" that Poulin grain uses in some of their feed? I will be sure to ask next time I go to the feed store, probably right after Christmas. So maybe we obsess too much about higher protein? The 18% would be perfect. I just asked for an All Flock last time & they suggested the Turkey finisher. Should have asked for sure if they had any other of your feeds in stock. Thanks for the information.
 
We typically custom formulate molting diets for commercial farms, and they are usually only 13-14% protein, and 6-8% fiber.
That may be because reducing nutrition can be used to 'force' a molt.
Backyarders may focus more on reconditioning and feather growth assistance.
 
Thanks Eric, hadn't thought about the broiler crumbles. So are they like the "crumlet" that Poulin grain uses in some of their feed? I will be sure to ask next time I go to the feed store, probably right after Christmas. So maybe we obsess too much about higher protein? The 18% would be perfect. I just asked for an All Flock last time & they suggested the Turkey finisher. Should have asked for sure if they had any other of your feeds in stock. Thanks for the information.
I used plenty of the Poulin Quik Grow Broiler feed this summer about 550lbs worth for the meat birds I did. As far as crumbles go I would say they are on the small side. The Poulin Grower/Finisher Crumble is much larger in size. When I opened it it looked like a pellet to me. You could also do a 50/50 mix of Grower/finisher(15%protien) and Turkey/ Gamebird Finisher (20%protien) to get you to a 17.5%average protien level and still be using "pellets"
 
Thanks Eric, hadn't thought about the broiler crumbles. So are they like the "crumlet" that Poulin grain uses in some of their feed? I will be sure to ask next time I go to the feed store, probably right after Christmas. So maybe we obsess too much about higher protein? The 18% would be perfect. I just asked for an All Flock last time & they suggested the Turkey finisher. Should have asked for sure if they had any other of your feeds in stock. Thanks for the information.

Slightly different product than the crumblet, but same idea.

Poulin’s process for the crumblet is- product is first pelleted and cooled. Then it is run through a speed offset roller assembly (Very similar process to a typical roller mill) that breaks it down to small pieces. Then it goes through a finish grading/screening process to remove fines, and screen out oversize product as well.

Our process for crumbles- product is pelleted, and cut to very short lengths with knives right in the pellet mill. Then they are cooled, before getting screened/graded.

Our product tends to be larger than a Poulin crumblet, and is more of a short pellet than a crumb. Just picture one of our pellets chopped down into 3-4 pieces :)

You’d be better off with the poultry grower, or broiler grower. The turkey feeds would probably work fine, but they are, in fact, formulated to a much different spec. Base ingredients are similar, but the vitamin/mineral/probiotic portion of the formulation is very different.
 
Poulin’s process for the crumblet is- product is first pelleted and cooled. Then it is run through a speed offset roller assembly (Very similar process to a typical roller mill) that breaks it down to small pieces. Then it goes through a finish grading/screening process to remove fines, and screen out oversize product as well.

Our process for crumbles- product is pelleted, and cut to very short lengths with knives right in the pellet mill. Then they are cooled, before getting screened/graded.
Nice to have this explained....it's what I imagined, would love to see it firsthand, being and old process equipment designer. Get some funky crumble once in awhile and try to think 'hmmm....what happened on the line that day?'
 
Slightly different product than the crumblet, but same idea.

Poulin’s process for the crumblet is- product is first pelleted and cooled. Then it is run through a speed offset roller assembly (Very similar process to a typical roller mill) that breaks it down to small pieces. Then it goes through a finish grading/screening process to remove fines, and screen out oversize product as well.

Our process for crumbles- product is pelleted, and cut to very short lengths with knives right in the pellet mill. Then they are cooled, before getting screened/graded.

Our product tends to be larger than a Poulin crumblet, and is more of a short pellet than a crumb. Just picture one of our pellets chopped down into 3-4 pieces :)

You’d be better off with the poultry grower, or broiler grower. The turkey feeds would probably work fine, but they are, in fact, formulated to a much different spec. Base ingredients are similar, but the vitamin/mineral/probiotic portion of the formulation is very different.
:goodpost:Great having your knowledgeable input. This just gave me the answers I was looking for.
 
That may be because reducing nutrition can be used to 'force' a molt.
Backyarders may focus more on reconditioning and feather growth assistance.

That is correct. It is definitely part of the reason for that diet. However, they do maintain that diet throughout the rest of the molt.

Also, while larger operations might not consider their birds as pets, it is definitely in their best interest to feed the best diet for reconditioning their birds, and promoting exceptional feather regrowth. If they don’t, they jeopardize the next production cycle.

One thing to consider, is that if the farmer doesn’t care about their birds well being, or more humane farming practices, they wouldn’t be a farm that is molting their birds in the first place. The type of larger layer operation that runs their hens through multiple production cycles is not the type that only cares about making money. Most commercial layers are only run through one cycle. It’s more profitable to do so.
 
Slightly different product than the crumblet, but same idea.

Poulin’s process for the crumblet is- product is first pelleted and cooled. Then it is run through a speed offset roller assembly (Very similar process to a typical roller mill) that breaks it down to small pieces. Then it goes through a finish grading/screening process to remove fines, and screen out oversize product as well.

Our process for crumbles- product is pelleted, and cut to very short lengths with knives right in the pellet mill. Then they are cooled, before getting screened/graded.

Our product tends to be larger than a Poulin crumblet, and is more of a short pellet than a crumb. Just picture one of our pellets chopped down into 3-4 pieces :)

You’d be better off with the poultry grower, or broiler grower. The turkey feeds would probably work fine, but they are, in fact, formulated to a much different spec. Base ingredients are similar, but the vitamin/mineral/probiotic portion of the formulation is very different.
urkey grower.

Found out my feed store carries GM soy free layer, regular layer, chick starter, scratch & turkey grower pellets. I am guessing you would not recommend the turkey grower? I would think it would be Ok with added greens, but you are the expert. I can order the broiler grower, but would be happier if I could just stop by & pick something up. The girls should almost be through molt, so I don't now. I miss the days (25 years ago) when I could get 21% layer with animal protein for year round, LOL!
 
@Cindy in PA

The Turkey Grower will work fine, but I would recommend the poultry grower, broiler grower, or even the chick starter, before the turkey grower. The chick starter is mash, though. I am guessing you prefer a pellet....
Right!
To put a finer point on it, a turkey grower will have much higher nutrient content of some vitamins and minerals than mature laying chicken hens need.
Some may be the same but some may be as much as double what they need. It would be better (and probably cheaper) to buy a feed formulated for chickens - at whatever age - than a game bird feed.
 

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