MannaPro or Purina or something else.

[rstampa]

Hi all,
I just don't know which brand of chicken feed to buy for my girls. I will be switching soon from Starter Grow to Layer. At present I'm using the Purina brand but was wondering from all of your experiences, is there a brand of feed that you think is better then the other? Any particular brand you use and why would help me to decide.

Thank you all for you wisdom and experience.

 

[i'mclucked]

I switched from Purina Sarter , to Purina Layena crumbles with excellent results. My four BO's are giving me 4 eggs a day. I couldn't be happier. My girls also freerange till dusk. My eggs are medium size ,with thick shells. I don't supplement the Layena at all, it seems sufficient to me.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

I have been so happy with Purina that I've never tried anything else...

 

[rstampa]

Thanks for you advise, I think I'll stick with Purina. It seems that everybody's chickens are healthy and layer more eggs.
The guy at the feed store feeds his MannaPro. So in conversation I asked him how were his chickens doing and have they laid any eggs yet. He said they are all healthy and free ranging. But at 9 months old none have laid any eggs. That's what got me thinking of the different brands of feed out there. Of course I didn't say anything to him in responds.
Thanks again.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

The feed store guy might not be getting eggs from his free-ranging flock because they're laying in hidden places. Or some other reason. It might not be due to the feed they get.

I think if you had a commercial laying operation it would be more critical to determine just which brand of feed made your hens lay more or better eggs. But with a backyard flock, especially one that supplements its feed with free-range foraging or other treats, there are a lot of variables that can affect their health & egg production besides brand of feed.

My chickens get the least expensive brand of feed I can obtain for them. Right now it's Country Acres, which is a division of Purina, but its products cost less. For a while I could get the feed they sell in the grocery stores for less, it's Walpole, from a local mill. And if I have coupons to bring the price down, I'll get Purina or Manna Pro.

I really haven't seen ANY difference in their health or egg quality when they've been on the different brands of feed. But I do see the difference in my wallet. If you have a brand you like, and can easily afford it, and think it makes your chickens perform better, by all means buy it. Otherwise, don't feel you have to buy them top-dollar feed.

 

[rstampa]

Quote:
Thanks so much Sunny_Side_Up. The money savings does put a different light on the subjest. I do appricate your advise.

 

[Katy]

I tried Manna Pro a couple of times in the past when the feed store was out of Purina...neither I or the chickens liked it.

 

[rstampa]

News flash on Country Acres recall feed. Here is the link to the recall.
http://www.totalrecallinfo.com/freerecalls.php?id=11292

 

[Katy]

Quote:
That recall is from last April.

 

[rstampa]

Quote:
That recall is from last April.

Yes I know but have they fixed the problem? I'm sure they have by now.
I have head bad things about WalMart Selling bad feed from other people. Which I had no idea that they even sold feed.
Have a great weekend.