Mixed flock, what to feed?

[ChickensAreSweet]

I wouldn't eat eggs from medicated feed myself. And they can't use layer pellets until they are laying.

You can buy flock raiser 20% protein and cut it with some scratch (cheaper). Some people on BYC feed this setup forever, and offer oyster shell on the side for their layers.

Try to aim for 17% protein for your grower phase. Chicks do need the 20% protein, I have read.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
That's how it is around here, too. I was surprised to find unmedicated grower in the Harvey's.

 

[shesaredroan]

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CourtryFried,
Sounds like you've done your research!!

Medicated 'start & grow' is more expensive than non-medicated, (at least that's the way it is with Purina) surly your feed store people know this, from what I know and what I've read here at BYC most folks don't feed medicated for more than 6 weeks or so (just to get the bitties off to a good start)....an inbetween feed is available, even if your feed store says it's not..... $6 a bag more at TSC is not much of an option?!?!?! (I'm wondering if your feed store is just lazy or if they are ignorant.)
Sorry your local feed stores are not willing to try something different.

I do supplement my flock's diet with scratch, which does have a high % of corn, but I feed more in the winter months. During the hot summer/fall months (I live in central Texas with 100+ temperatures) I cut back on the scratch, due to the 'hot' nature of corn.
Do your girls get to free range? That can help!!
It sounds like your feed stores only sell what they are familiar with. I REALLY would try to talk with 4H or FAA groups in your area. They are going to be knowledgeable on proper poultry feeding methods and be able to give you suggestions and tips.

I too live in the country, but in my part of the country feed stores try to please the customers and get them what they want........or the customer goes else where. Sounds like you live in an area where the feed stores tell you what they have, take it or leave it.
It may be a slow process to educate them to understand the customer is always right, (or at least the customer's $$ are always right!!).

 

[Miss Lydia]

A fellow BYCer said that we should feed our Flock the best we can afford, they will reward us so much more.

 

[Whimsy]

suggestion...you contact what ever brand you are using and ask them to ask the feed store to carry it. I called Nutrena and asked what I should use and they suggested Meat Bird. I myself would not eat eggs or birds that were using Medicated feed

 

[CountryFried]

Quote:
That's how it is around here, too. I was surprised to find unmedicated grower in the Harvey's.

I know one of our local grocery stores has chicken feed, I'll go there and check to see what they have. I bought my scratch there, but didn't pay attention to what the other bags were since they were more expensive than the feed store.

The feed stores don't carry a "brand" here, they get it from a feed mill about 20 miles away. I've talked to the MILL, they do not make an in-between, so for the feed stores that only stock the mill's feeds, they aren't yanking my chain, they can't get it. I know there must be other mills around, but they are elusive, so I'll keep hunting for them.

I drive about 70 miles to get my hog feed, from a different feed store, small town, owners have known my family for years...they can't get an in-between either. (I actually went to pick up feed today, after I posted this thread...I was hoping for you guys' input before I went so I could tell them what I needed) The owner has a house blend for the hog feed that I buy, and I bought the house blend scratch for the chickens, but they don't mix actual chicken feed, it's from Southern States. I really didn't get much info off Southern States' website tonight and it was too late to call by the time I got home. This feed store will order me something special if it's from a supplier they use. They can't get Purina, so Flock Raiser is out. I didn't know any other brands to ask about.

(That may be wrong, it may not be that they cannot get it, more that they cannot meet the minimum order. I asked if they could get my parrot's food for me today, and fortunately they were about to place an order with supplier, because she said it takes them about 6 months to get enough stuff for their minimum order. In the future I will order 6 months of food for my macaw, because their price was great for her food)

For now, I bought 100lbs of corn and 100lbs of feed labeled "Layer and Broiler", it's analysis is min15% protein, min4%max5% calcium. I don't have a tag from my starter/grower to check it against, but it's about 5% lower in protein than Flock Raiser and 3.5% higher in calcium. I *think* she said they have a game bird food, I'll have my mom grab a bag of that when my parrot food comes in so I can see the analysis. Does anyone have a suggestion on upping the protein in this mix for the chicks if they need 20%?

I want my birds healthy and well fed, but if they're going to break the bank, I may as well not have them, kwim? And no free-ranging right now, I haven't worked that out yet. Their coop is against our woods, and I know there are predators out there. Not sure if they will be inclined to wander toward the yard or if they're going to stick to the trees, so I'm not sure if I need to make them a fenced area or what. The coop isn't really in a good position for a fence to kind of corral and protect them.

 

[shesaredroan]

High 5 to you CountryFried,

You are right, if it breaks the bank .........there's no point!!! But you are reaching out and trying to do right by your flock.
You've come to the right place. BYC folks are one BIG family, and we want everyone in the family to do well.

Your question about "suggestions on upping the protein for chicks" is a good one.
If you click on "Forum"
and then scroll down to "Feeding & Watering Your Flock".........and also......"Managing Your Flock"...........click on either/both of these and you will find many, many threads of information and help.

The more time I spend on the BYC website the more I learn. The more I learn the happier my chickens are. The happier my chickens are the better they look and the more eggs they give me.

Free ranging is not easy for a lot of us. For many of us, predators are always about!!!
My flock has a coop and a fenced yard that they have 24/7 access to.
I let my girls out to free range, in the late afternoon, BUT only on days when I can plan to stay out with them for an hour or two before dark, then they put themselves to bed/roost in the coop.

Most free range afternoons are calm, I pull weeds, trim shrubs, somedays just sit and enjoy watching my flock as they happily peck and scratch about......but once in a while a predator appears.
The Roos are good 'watchdogs' and always alert danger first!! .....be it hawk, neighbor's dog, coyote, or sometimes nothing..........the roos warn, the girls run for cover/coop, and then I take action with what protection I can offer. (my shouts/yelling, running about with a big stick, rock throwing, and then there's the pistol) I'm sure it must look funny to see an upset red haired lady running around with a stick, rocks and a pistol at hand, shouting at the top of her lungs. LOL

As Miss Lydia reminded us a few posts back, .........Give the best we can give!!