⠀ Mixed flock

[grammychick]

I have chickens ranging in age from 5 months to 18 months. I also have several ducks that are 8 weeks old. Is there one feed that would be nutritionally adequate for the entire flock? They all free range all day

 

[redsoxs]

Some folks feed various brand that go by the term All Flock. Here is a thread where's it discussed
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/556806/nutrena-naturewise-all-flock
Good luck to you!

 

[Dmontgomery]

I have chickens ranging in age from 5 months to 18 months. I also have several ducks that are 8 weeks old. Is there one feed that would be nutritionally adequate for the entire flock? They all free range all day

My flock always seems to include at least a few chicks. I have a frequently broody OEGB hen. Right now my group are ages 3 weeks to 3 years with 46 chickens and 3 Guineas. I use Purina Flock Raiser Crumbles to supplement their free ranging. They free range from sunup to sundown but still eat almost 2 bags of feed per month. The crumbles are small enough for the baby chicks and the bantams to eat. So far everyone is healthy and we get plenty of eggs daily. We do have free choice oyster shell for the layers.

 

[DrPatrickBiggs]

I have chickens ranging in age from 5 months to 18 months. I also have several ducks that are 8 weeks old. Is there one feed that would be nutritionally adequate for the entire flock? They all free range all day

Excellent question, and a challenge many flock owners encounter!

Since you have a mixed flock, I would recommend feeding Purina Flock Raiser, which should allow adequate protein levels for both your chickens and your ducks. If your hens are laying, I’d make sure to supplement the diet with oyster shell to support shell integrity. If the ducks are also laying, then Purina Layena is a good choice for all.

It is also important that they be fed a complete and balanced diet to meet all of your birds’ nutritional requirements. Purina Layena and Layena Plus Omega-3 are layer diets, intended for birds as they reach 18 weeks of age and are ready to start producing eggs. I recommend feeding Start & Grow through 18 weeks of age. This will provide additional protein, needed for growing birds. Layer feeds also have more calcium than younger birds need. Extra calcium can be fatally harmful to younger bird’s kidneys and may also result in skeletal abnormalities.