Look at these facts

[wombat]

Quote:
Maybe so, looks like chicken "junk food"!

If you've already purchased that, go get some layer feed and use the other stuff as scratch. Also - 16 weeks is borderline for feeding layer, depending on breed. I usually start mixing layer in with the grower ration at 16 weeks (that's when I also switch from crumb to pellet), but I don't have them over to layer until about 18 weeks.

 

[bryan8]

Quote:
that's what I was thinking but the op said it was a mash, and I've never seen a scratch milled into mash. Call the feed store and I would ask if they had a better layer feed. I feed purina layena.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

The original poster doesn't state where he's from, but as he gave the bag weight in kilograms I suspect he's not in the U.S. so likely won't have U.S. brands available to him.

What he describes does sound like some form of scratch feed. Mash is usually finely ground, but in this case it may be more chunky. Definitely not sufficient just in itself for any type of chicken unless they have some very good ground to range freely over.

.....Alan.

 

[Country Heart]

Quote:
Thanks for this great info - good to know.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

A.T. Hagan :

The original poster doesn't state where he's from, but as he gave the bag weight in kilograms I suspect he's not in the U.S. so likely won't have U.S. brands available to him.

What he describes does sound like some form of scratch feed. Mash is usually finely ground, but in this case it may be more chunky. Definitely not sufficient just in itself for any type of chicken unless they have some very good ground to range freely over.

.....Alan.

I have to agree that the OP is probably not in the U.S. Hopefully they can take the nutritional facts and compare them where they buy their feed.​

 

[bibliophile birds]

Quote:
This is from a website about dog and cat foods, but it holds true for chickens as well:

Pet food components are broken down into the following categories: protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber and moisture. The inorganic components of pet food, such as minerals and vitamins, are called "ash" because they are not incinerated when the food is burned for its nutritional analysis. Ash contains important minerals, such as calcium and manganese, which are needed for your pet's continued good health.

Ash is not required to be listed on feed bags, but it should be. It should be listed as a maximum percentage, as too much of a good thing (especially manganese) can be bad for your animals.

If you are interested in reading about poultry nutrition so you can evaluate feeds better, I have a lot of links on my BYC page. They are things that have helped me a lot, so hopefully they will help you too! Good luck!​

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

I just went out and looked at my bag of scratch. The percentages the the OP posted are very close to what is on the bag I have. So I say yes, scratch not feed.

Marty

 

[newchicksnducks]

The original poster is from Switzerland. Not sure what type of feed stores, etc they have over there. Asooomaa, you may have to investigate a few places to purchase your feed. Call around, see if any other chicken keepers get their feed and supplies from a particular place. See if their birds look healthy. The percentages given on the Purina website for layers seems to be the normal for what we in the U.S. try to feed our birds who are approaching laying age. Good luck on your search! (and yes, the "mash" you bought is more what we would give here for a treat for our birds, the equivalent to cookies and cake )