Naturewise Starter/Grower

[nancysmith2]

I need help! I have read on this website it is best not to feed your pullets laying pellets until they lay. I have 2 hens laying, 1 about to lay and 2 that are 12 wks to laying. I am feeding Starter/Grower. Today my DH says this says not to feed to laying hens. WHAT? It has Amprolium? What the heck is that? Is it dangerous to the eggs in some way. Please help! I have not given the laying pellets to them b/c I thought the calcium was bad. I can't separate them. Someone please tell me what to do. Thanks

 

[newchicksnducks]

I believe most would recommend non-medicated chick food if the hens might eat it. Possibly try multi-flock type of feed, too. Make sure you offer free choice oyster shell if not giving your layers layer feed...I believe the others are low in calcium. Hopefully someone with more experience will help you out

 

[txchickie]

Quote:
Nature Wise by Nutrena is not medicated. It does not contain amprolium, I just went out and got my bag and looked it over. Laying hens CAN have starter grower as long as you offer them oyster shell seperateley.

 

[nancysmith2]

Well, my Nutrena Naturewise starter/grower says "medicated" and it says it has amprolium. What have I done? They aren't dead and I am not sick. Is this bad? Does anyone have suggestions. I can't find any feed that I trust.

 

[jenjscott]

no, its not going to kill you or your chickens. Just try to find a non medicated feed. Many bands you can buy in medicated and unmedicated. Talk you your feed store, maybe they can get the other in. Usually they don't know any different.

 

[chookchick]

If they are laying, or about to lay they do need extra calcium. It is fine to feed them a starter/grower (or flock raiser) if you provide them with oyster shell all the time. But NOT medicated, if you are eating the eggs! They will only eat the oyster shell they need if you put it out separately--I have it even WITH the layer feed, so they can get what they need.

 

[txchickie]

Quote:
Wierd! LOL I went all over my bag, and no where on it does it say medicated and amprolium isn't in the ingredient list.

I think you'll be okay!

 

[newchicksnducks]

Quote:
As jenjscott said, most brands of chick starter offer two versions: One medicated, one non-medicated (Purina does this too). Nancycsmith evidently bought the medicated starter, and txchickie, you got the non-medicated one.

 

[nancysmith2]

Well, thanks for the input. I have been eating eggs from this starter for about 2 1/2 months. The feed store doesn't have non medicated starter. What a mess.