Need advice on feeds

[KatsHerd]

Can you get a chick or starter feed?

When I can't get all flock, I will purchase starter feed. It has the vitamins and protein content I like but without excess calcium. The brand I use also has probiotics. You can use this for the life of the hens and roosters.

Just make sure you offer oyster shell in a separate container for the layers.

Would it be better feeding a grower feed, then? We can get grower feed. Which is for 8-24 weeks, we've been using that successfully with our roos, but with the issues we've been facing I was hoping to find something better- but if that's my best bet then good to know! Thankyou

 

[KatsHerd]

I agree with Stormcrow, calcium over time is the issue. The hens can handle the extra calcium, the roosters not so much if they are on a steady diet of it.

In most breeds the roosters are larger than the hens. I'm not sure how that works out in your breeds. I've seen one method to restrict the hens to eating only the hen food and the roosters to limit only to their specific food. Since the roosters are taller than the hens, hang feeders too high for the hens to reach and fill with rooster feed. To feed the hens have feeders lower down but use wire to partition off sections too small for the rooster's larger head to get through. The feed would have to be down low enough that they could not reach it without getting their head all the way through.

I have no idea what height is too high for your hens. I have no idea of the dimensions the hen's heads can safely get through but the rooster's heads cannot. It can easily be different for each breed, if it will work at all for yours.

A much easier way for me is to feed them all a low calcium feed with oyster shells on the side for the ones that need it for the eggshells.

Interesting... I think I'll have to do some research on that then. My roosters are typically bigger than the hens. We use our roosters for a decent while, our eldest is coming upto 2 years, with no fertility issues arising yet. Thank you for the advice!

 

[KatsHerd]

Over the long term, no.

Over the short term, damage is minimal and generally not observable. How long do you plan to keep your Roos for before rotating them out of "production"?

I feed my flock in ways I generally don't recommend for others, consequence of which that I accept an average 2.3% average calcium in my feed. By 18 months, when I butcher my roosters, I can find some signs of calcium build up, some of the time, on their internal organs. In a clinical setting, I'm sure I could find evidence of excess calcium every time - I'm speaking only of what I can see and feel.

3.5% calcium is 50% higher on average - I would expect there would be more evidence, and greater impact on your roosters as result. But if you are only keeping them for one or two breeding seasons before rotating them out, that could be an acceptable risk level for you.

Note that i do NOT use that same feed for my hatched chicks - that much calcium WILL have obvious consequence on their rate of growth, final size, and other health issues as well. In my flock, the transition to "adult" feed generally occurs at 8-10 weeks, and they free range acres besides, which helps further buffer their calcium intake.

Finally, calcium carbonate (the calcium form found in oyster shell, popular here in the US) is the most damaging kind. dicalcium phosphate and calcium diphoshate are more expensive (thus not as widely used here) but also less damaging to your Roosters. Both are more popular calcium sources in places with fewer oyster shells locally.

Hope that helps.

Thanks so much for the reply! I don't feel the added calcium is worth the risk for us - I think we'll just find a good grower feed we like & feed calcium on the side for hens. Our main boys we are quite attached too, and we are only a small business - so quality of life is big for us. I really appreciate all the advice!

 

[NanaK]

Would it be better feeding a grower feed, then? We can get grower feed. Which is for 8-24 weeks, we've been using that successfully with our roos, but with the issues we've been facing I was hoping to find something better- but if that's my best bet then good to know! Thankyou

When I first compared the guaranteed analysis of the brand I use the all flock and starter/grower was very close to the same. I like to have one feed for all birds.

Make sure what ever you choose that it is fresh. The brand I use recommends using it within 3-4 months of the date on the bag. The reason is some vitamins can degrade in storage.

Don't forget the oyster shell for the hens.

 

[NanaK]

I looked at the websites of the brands you listed.

The Barastoc grower only has 15.5% protein and also contains an anticoccidial. The most commonly used anticoccidial in the USA inhibits B vitamins so I would not want to use it long term in adult birds.

In looking at the analysis of the Laucke Mills brand I see Red Hen Chick feed. It contains 23% protein and does not contain a anticoccidial. It lists the vitamins and minerals but does not give exact %.
This one would be my choice of what is available in the brands you mentioned. Again, make sure it is fresh when you buy.
https://www.lauckemills.com.au/products/category/UNIULECH-starter-pullet/5924

 

[KatsHerd]

I looked at the websites of the brands you listed.

The Barastoc grower only has 15.5% protein and also contains an anticoccidial. The most commonly used anticoccidial in the USA inhibits B vitamins so I would not want to use it long term in adult birds.

In looking at the analysis of the Laucke Mills brand I see Red Hen Chick feed. It contains 23% protein and does not contain a anticoccidial. It lists the vitamins and minerals but does not give exact %.
This one would be my choice of what is available in the brands you mentioned. Again, make sure it is fresh when you buy.
https://www.lauckemills.com.au/products/category/UNIULECH-starter-pullet/5924

Definitely! If we had to stick to a grower, we were going with the laucke mills non medicated feed for our adults. We like the sound of the barastoc feed (especially if they had a version thar wasnt medicated) but will be using their feeds up until almost laying age. Thank you so much for the advice - and taking the time to look up those feeds too! I appreciate it

 

[NanaK]

Definitely! If we had to stick to a grower, we were going with the laucke mills non medicated feed for our adults. We like the sound of the barastoc feed (especially if they had a version thar wasnt medicated) but will be using their feeds up until almost laying age. Thank you so much for the advice - and taking the time to look up those feeds too! I appreciate it

Your welcome!
Good luck with your birds!