Lets talk about layer feed...

[Melky]

My birds don't get to free range. What difference does it make if I feed them a feed containing animal products or I go out and buy separate animal products to feed them? I'm not looking to offer a five star buffet to them, I just want their nutritional needs covered in a thorough and efficient manner. My meatbird does not offer a vegetarian diet. It's a brand called Country Roads, I'd have to get you a tag to share ingredients.

That’s ok got it. Still wouldn’t use. You are combining a too high protein with high energy ( low exercise) and no way to burn it since no free range. I think you’ll find by stopping use of this and using a flockraiser if birds of all ages at 20% will help you with your defined goal of no Fatty Liver Disease. You still would not have to buy a buffet as you call it. In my chickens run alone they find insects worms etc. even without free ranging so would not assume they do not get this. Your just looking for more appropriate levels of protein and handling low exercise as birds cooped. Could hang pecking toys that can put scraps in etc. or roosts, swing, etc in run for exercise to help burn energy. Good Luck in your search!

https://www.ruralking.com/50-lb-mea...MI9NPXwu-s3wIVCglpCh32dQrgEAQYAiABEgKwBvD_BwE

 

[Melky]

Right...give it year or so, then you can speak from actual experience.

What research do you have on soy? Would be happy to see it.

 

[Mosey2003]

Flock raiser is only 1% less protein.

 

[aart]

What research do you have on soy? Would be happy to see it.

I don't...I was commenting on GreenMountainEric's information and anecdotes I have heard in the past. Read the quotes and put it in context.

 

[123RedBeard]

Lots of chickens won't hesitate to eat a mouse ... sounds like animal protein to me!

If you want to add animal protein ... next time your in the grocery story, stop in the meat isle ... you'll probably see something labeled "hamburger", or "ground beef" (turkey & chicken, and even pork too!) Buy a pound or three ... take home make into little thumbnail sized balls, freeze ... give to birds ... or mix the ground meat in to some scrambled eggs if you want to cook it ...

I never saw a chicken stop and cook a mouse though ...

 

[Aceoky]

We also feed the Country Road meatbird 21% to our mixed flock of varying ages including cockerels.

 

[Kiki]

Lots of chickens won't hesitate to eat a mouse ... sounds like animal protein to me!

If you want to add animal protein ... next time your in the grocery story, stop in the meat isle ... you'll probably see something labeled "hamburger", or "ground beef" (turkey & chicken, and even pork too!) Buy a pound or three ... take home make into little thumbnail sized balls, freeze ... give to birds ... or mix the ground meat in to some scrambled eggs if you want to cook it ...

I never saw a chicken stop and cook a mouse though ...

I can't get over the yuck factor of feeding my flock raw meat but I have no problem feeding them cooked chicken.

 

[aart]

but I have no problem feeding them cooked chicken.

I will never forget years ago while chicken sitting for a buddy there were cooked chicken bones all over the yard...they tossed them out after dinner for the chickens to clean up and they were indeed picked clean.

 

[Mosey2003]

I will never forget years ago while chicken sitting for a buddy there were cooked chicken bones all over the yard...they tossed them out after dinner for the chickens to clean up and they were indeed picked clean.

My run looks like a pork chop boneyard

 

[aart]

My run looks like a pork chop boneyard

Giggles.

I don't like putting out bones, scared the dog might get a hold of one and/or that it might attract rats or other pests, plus I usually pick them pretty clean myself-nothing left for chickens.