"Louisiana "La-yers" Peeps"

[JennieRD]

@LaDoodler , do you get your feed in LC? We usually get it from the TSC in Moss Bluff. I'm going to try that feed store on Broad today.

I think I need to switch to pellets. We went through the whole 50 lbs of crumbles in a week with only 15 chickens. Better feeders would help, too. We just need a few changes all around.

Mine did the same thing when the weather changed a couple of weeks ago. I was free feeding a 40lb feeders in each of my 5 pens. I was letting my youngest son feed, until we went through 150 lb bags of feed in 3 days, we should have only went through 60 lbs. To help him out I did the math for him every evening he feeds ..23 oz per adult bird (16 weeks or older) and uses a pre measured pail to feed the exact amount they need daily along with their free ranging.

The chicks vary by age and I have 5 pens, 1 adult pen, 4 pens have juveniles in them. The breeder pens are not being used till the spring. The young ones waist the most. I measure their feed according to age and have it listed on a paper graph by week and the birds ages per pen, so we don't over feed or under feed. But I have more birds to worry about, but the concept is the same. With 15 adults free ranging, you should only be using about 4 lbs a day. The ratio of feed for each bird is a text book example, I also consider the size of them when I feed. Good luck.

Feed waist has dropped drastically, were only using a little over 20 lbs a day, instead of 50 lbs. Most was wasted by the kicking it out of the feeders, now there is no problem and no waist and they are consuming all the feed leaving a little in their feeder so I know they are eating enough.

 

[JennieRD]

@LaDoodler , do you get your feed in LC? We usually get it from the TSC in Moss Bluff. I'm going to try that feed store on Broad today.

I think I need to switch to pellets. We went through the whole 50 lbs of crumbles in a week with only 15 chickens. Better feeders would help, too. We just need a few changes all around.

I switched from Purina from TSC to Lone Star from Currie and Son on Broad Street, that's when my Splash Orpington developed rickets after being on the feed for four weeks..

.I went back to Purina from TSC , Moss Bluff, and G&H Feed on Hwy 90 in Iowa,LA. I've been back on Purina for two weeks now and have not had more cases of rickets. TSC and G&H prices are about the same, G&H are about a dollar cheaper then TSC. But my splash orpington still has not recovered after almost 4 weeks...They carry good feed, but I will not buy away more lonestar brand feeds....even though its cheaper, it has cost me more in medication and supplements to save one bird then it would have to stay on Purina..

Good Luck

 

[LemonMeringue]

It's pumpkin time here. We get them for free at pumpkin patches that are done for the year. It never hurts to ask. We got a truck load yesterday, have some away and still have 60 left. Great for chickens and people

They kept telling us to take all we wanted so they don't go to waste....... But we can only use so many, lol.

 

[PrimroseMom1]

It's pumpkin time here. We get them for free at pumpkin patches that are done for the year. It never hurts to ask. We got a truck load yesterday, have some away and still have 60 left. Great for chickens and people

They kept telling us to take all we wanted so they don't go to waste....... But we can only use so many, lol.

Nice. Reminds me of Kuntrygirl at this time last year. She got bunches and all the animals benefited.

 

[campingshaws]

Mine did the same thing when the weather changed a couple of weeks ago. I was free feeding a 40lb feeders in each of my 5 pens. I was letting my youngest son feed, until we went through 150 lb bags of feed in 3 days, we should have only went through 60 lbs. To help him out I did the math for him every evening he feeds ..23 oz per adult bird (16 weeks or older) and uses a pre measured pail to feed the exact amount they need daily along with their free ranging.

The chicks vary by age and I have 5 pens, 1 adult pen, 4 pens  have juveniles in them. The breeder pens are not being used till the spring. The young ones waist the most. I measure their feed according to age and have it listed on a paper graph by week and the birds ages per pen, so we don't over feed or under feed. But I have more birds to worry about, but the concept is the same. With 15 adults free ranging, you should only be using about 4 lbs a day. The ratio of feed for each bird is a text book example, I also consider the size of them when I feed. Good luck.

Feed waist has dropped drastically, were only using a little over 20 lbs a day, instead of 50 lbs. Most was wasted by the kicking it out of the feeders, now there is no problem and no waist and they are consuming all the feed leaving a little in their feeder so I know they are eating enough.

Thanks for the info! I know the RIW waste quite a bit because I wasn't having this problem before I put them in the flock. They literally eat all day long, but they still feel sharp and bony. I've read that breeds for egg production don't bulk up like the dual purpose breeds (like the sussex) but still, I worry about them. I gave them pumpkin a week ago and have a few more, but should I follow up with a commercial wormer? We're selling two RIW and two sussex when the pox clears up, so that should help, too.

I switched from Purina from TSC to Lone Star from Currie and Son on Broad Street, that's when my Splash Orpington developed rickets after being on the feed for four weeks..

.I went back to Purina from TSC , Moss Bluff, and G&H Feed on Hwy 90 in Iowa,LA. I've been back on Purina for two weeks now and have not had more cases of rickets. TSC and G&H prices are about the same, G&H are about a dollar cheaper then TSC. But my splash orpington still has not recovered after almost 4 weeks...They carry good feed, but I will not buy away more lonestar brand feeds....even though its cheaper, it  has cost me more in medication and supplements to save one bird then it would have to stay on Purina..

Good Luck

Thanks! We've been using Dumor, but I was wanting to switch to Purina. My chicken friend up the road said to try the pellets, even without me bringing up the feed waste. I've heard that some chickens won't transition from crumbles to pellets, but I'll just hope for the best.

 

[JennieRD]

Thanks for the info! I know the RIW waste quite a bit because I wasn't having this problem before I put them in the flock. They literally eat all day long, but they still feel sharp and bony. I've read that breeds for egg production don't bulk up like the dual purpose breeds (like the sussex) but still, I worry about them. I gave them pumpkin a week ago and have a few more, but should I follow up with a commercial wormer? We're selling two RIW and two sussex when the pox clears up, so that should help, too.
Thanks! We've been using Dumor, but I was wanting to switch to Purina. My chicken friend up the road said to try the pellets, even without me bringing up the feed waste. I've heard that some chickens won't transition from crumbles to pellets, but I'll just hope for the best.

I believe what you heard is right about transitioning from crumbles to pellet, mine play with pellet acting like is a foreign object, But I raised them on crumbles. I tried one bag of pellet, they just played with it. I think the Guinea were the only ones who really did not care what it was as long as they could swallow it..G&H only carries pellet for Layers, no crumbles and they only carry medicated in the 25 lb bag and undedicated in the 50lb bag for chicks starter. I was going to see if G&H would order the crumbles if I prepaid, ill check when the feed gets low again it would really be nice to drive 10 miles one way instead of 30 one way.

 

[Ron Skekel]

Quote:
I gave them a couple handfuls of the feed you sent and mixed a handful of the Petrus layer feed with it, when i checked back later they had eaten the layer feed completely, i built her a nest box and put it in the coop about dark, maybe i will find another prize in the morning.

Great news glad their having a smooth transition.

 

[Ron Skekel]

Congratulations!
what laid the shiny brown eggs on the bottom?

He has a lot of barred rocks that would be my guess. Pam

 

[LindaB220]

I know I would be jonesing too. What happened to the one you were using?

I made the mistake of downloading a free program for a word processor. I don't have one. But a lot of crap was added. Now it won't work at all. Two more days. sigh.

 

[Cadjien_De_Louisiane]

@LaDoodler, do you get your feed in LC? We usually get it from the TSC in Moss Bluff. I'm going to try that feed store on Broad today.

I think I need to switch to pellets. We went through the whole 50 lbs of crumbles in a week with only 15 chickens. Better feeders would help, too. We just need a few changes all around.

Thats where I buy my feed is at Currie & Son on Broad in LC. I go through the same amount, I'm down to 32 chickens (for now lol) and go through two sacks every two weeks. I mix one sack of Lone Star Lay Pellets with on sack Lone Star Conditioning mix or instead of conditioner mix I use Atlas Thunder Bird, they both have whole grains in them. I like dealing with them and there like two miles from where I work.