Onslow's Hens
Chirping
I have been feeding my flock of 18 layers and 2 roosters a Meat Bird formula. It has 20% Protein vs 16% of the layer feed. It has slightly higher fat vs layer and the vitamins and minerals are very similar as well. I used to feed the Layer but some of my girls feathers always looked kind of ratty and when we added the two roosters, I did not want them to get all that added calcium that is already in the layer pellets. I figured they must be equipped by mother nature with the natural instinct to supplement their own calcium intake as needed. I provide oyster shell and crushed egg shell in separate feeders at all times. With the exception of an occasional rubber egg/thin shelled egg, egg shell quality seems to be very good. Most are hard and well formed.
My question, long term, is it ok to continue with a Meat Bird formula? Is Meat Bird formula really that much different?? They consume the oyster shell so calcium does not seem to be an issue.
Any one else out there feed Meat Bird to layers?? What is your experience doing that? Notice any bad effects of feeding this long term?
I see some feed Flock Raiser. I have tried that and it was ok. Since putting them on meat bird their eggs look better, yolks have never been so vibrant and people I give eggs to rave about them since I switched.
My flock also free ranges all day/every day on 20 acres and I do give them kitchen scraps (but not in excess).
I just don't like the idea of "force feeding" them calcium in high amounts which is found in layer diets. That is probably not good on the roosters either. Isn't letting each individual hen regulate their own intake of calcium more natural?
My question, long term, is it ok to continue with a Meat Bird formula? Is Meat Bird formula really that much different?? They consume the oyster shell so calcium does not seem to be an issue.
Any one else out there feed Meat Bird to layers?? What is your experience doing that? Notice any bad effects of feeding this long term?
I see some feed Flock Raiser. I have tried that and it was ok. Since putting them on meat bird their eggs look better, yolks have never been so vibrant and people I give eggs to rave about them since I switched.
My flock also free ranges all day/every day on 20 acres and I do give them kitchen scraps (but not in excess).
I just don't like the idea of "force feeding" them calcium in high amounts which is found in layer diets. That is probably not good on the roosters either. Isn't letting each individual hen regulate their own intake of calcium more natural?
