Cogburn seems healthy all this time...have I been doing this wrong with the layer feed?
Hi there.
I agree with the posters who say "flock raiser", "grower", or "all flock" type feed is the best over all choice... for many reasons.
Number one being that "layer" has the minimal amount of protein to keep a light bodied hen in laying condition (usually 16%). Noting it isn't just the protein but the amino acids they contain. Feeding a higher protein feed gives more wiggle room for folks who feed out low nutrient treats like scratch or corn.
While I agree with Shamo Hybrid that the problem is fear mongered and exaggerated by many... and a lot of chicken folks are major over thinkers
it is important you make your own choice. Many roosters will live out their days long and happy without gout or *possible* kidney failure even though they eat NOTHING but layer, not even free range. I saw an 8 year old roo on here with exactly that lifestyle. It is genetics that are the main cause of the issue often coupled with mismanagement (excess treats) and those who are genetically predisposed somehow may be more likely to face these terrible conditions.
For me... aside from having roosters... I have hens that molt or go broody and sometimes juveniles (none need the added calcium of layer). Since switching to "flock raiser", several years ago (OS on the side, grit is naturally from the ground)... I have noticed my birds go into less hard molts and recover more quickly because their bodies are equipped with more nutrients... feathers are made from 90% protein and it's amino acids.
The thing is... I have invested
major time, energy, and funds into my flock to get where I am... I refuse to feed my boys the excess calcium as the loss (if it happened) would outweigh ANY savings from feeding more affordable *seeming* layer. BUT protein is pricey, OS is cheap... really you get what you pay for IMO.
Yes, gout can be caused by excess protein as well... again, a
healthy kidney will be fine and a recent study I saw showed for protein to be the cause gout would take about 70% protein in chickens.
There is no need to feed Cogburn separate from the ladies... either determine that you are fine with layer and know there is a POSSIBILITY of side effects. Or switch to flock raiser, grower, even starter with OS on the side IF you feel more comfortable... knowing that ALL are going to die sooner or later regardless of what we do. I don't drink plain water EVER for more than 5 years now. Some folks ONLY drink water.. we will all meet our fate. My cousin who NEVER smoked or got exposed to second hand smoke got lung cancer in his 30's... they joys of living in an agriculture area when younger... my family has seen stomach, liver, pancrea, lung, breast, and prostate cancer... just to name a few.
So I AM sure that environmental factors do play a role in longevity... but also relative to genetics.
Seeing that your tag line says you have BO... them are heavy bodied, heavy feathered, dual purpose birds... and will do BEST on not less than 18% protein. They (as a breed) are prone to fatty liver hemorrhagic disease and excess treats like corn and scratch are high energy but low nutrient and even meal worms are very high in fat. Use any of those things VERY sparingly at not more than 10% of their total daily intake... and a personal treat not mixed in with feed but associated with you.
Calories come from ONLY 3 sources... fat, protein, and carbs which includes fiber... I choose to get my energy from more protein over more carbs or fat in my feed as I feel like it gives me the best nutrient profile bang for my buck. Carbs and protein contain the same amount of over all energy... the lower the protein in your feed, very likely the higher the carbs. See, over thinking EVERY thing!
Sometimes I even use 28-30% protein game bird or turkey starter for my whole flock... Especially if I have a bunch of little's or molting birds.
The easiest, most affordable, readily available, with recent mill date feed for
me year round is the Purina flock raiser... and I can recommend it.
What is the difference between the AF and the FR?
All flock (AF), flock raiser (FR), starter, grower... different companies call their formulations whatever they want to. Looking at labels for key nutrients (protein and calcium) and selecting the one with the ingredients list you like is key. NEVER trust the word they call it... I can't believe one brand (
Manna Pro) makes a "starter" (even an organic one) with ONLY 18% protein.
Is 2-4% that big of difference??? I say yes, at crucial times it really is.
Here is a link to common abbreviations used on BYC...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/byc-index-of-abbreviations-acronyms.63285/
I can see it doesn't include either AF or FR though. Maybe someone will contact the article writer and ask them to be included.
Please note that often feeds that are meant as an all flock includes other species that often have higher
nutrient (not the same as energy) requirements than chickens... like ducks, turkey, and such... ie amino acids and sometimes things that aren't listed (as they aren't required by law to be printed) on the guaranteed analysis tag such as niacin. But making sure to not use for species before the listed age, as it doesn't meet their need before that.
Sorry so long and ultimately saying do what makes YOU comfortable. But hopefully there is enough information here (and in other posts) to help you make a truly informed decision. Don't beat yourself up if you do decide to switch. You can't change the past. We all do our best until we find something better. Then we switch it up. Chicken keeping has been an ever growing and learning process. And even 10 years + in I still make discoveries, learn new things, and change my mind or perspective! Heck for that matter my flock has been ever changing thus far.
