New Country Organics - starter feed

[tsperry88]

I have 6 more chicks coming, and I wanted to switch to a crumble rather than scratch and peck milled starter like I fed my last batch of chicks. I ordered a bag of crumbles, but checking the tag, I am concerned with how much calcium is in it. See attached label. Should I be worried?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is astute of you to be alarmed. That calcium content is very high for a starter feed. How old are your birds?
You may not get a good answer but I'd call them and ask what they were thinking with that recipe. If you are lucky, they'll put you through to their poultry nutritionist.
The protein is high so in the interim I would add either some scratch or ground grain. That will lower the total calcium intake and you have a cushion on the protein side.

 

[tsperry88]

It will be for couple day old chicks through 6 or 8 weeks. I emailed them the following.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

In theory the statement goes birds not in lay should not be fed calcium greater than 3% long term. So, in theory 3% or lower *should* be fine.

I too would be a tad uncomfortable with it that high though. But instead of mixing grain that diminishes other nutrients also.. I would find another starter, grower, or flock raiser and mix it. Noting calcium is what I consider to be a cheap filler and also wonder what were they thinking. That guaranteed analysis isn't telling the whole story either, only what required by law.. noting it's also labeled acceptable for ducklings.. which require 55mg/kg niacin.. Consider contacting them and getting a copy of the entire nutrient profile... or maybe even checking @Kiki feed list and adding yours to it if it isn't already included.

Curious.. what made your decision to switch? Noting that crumble is also "milled", maybe just different sizes left after the extrusion process. These ingredient ALMOST sound tasty!

Hope your new babies thrive!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

In my heart of hearts, I think the Ca is too high.

SO, I just called the manufacturer and talked to one of the managers whose name is Kevin and expressed my concern. He clearly didn't know a lot about nutrition other than the fact that this feed contains higher niacin for ducklings. I recommended they change their label and remove the reference to chicks. It is way too high for chicks. They didn't have a poultry nutritionist available to speak with me but he said he would look into it.
I also offered to have their nutritionist call me to discuss the matter.

I definitely wouldn't feed it as the sole ration more than 2 or 3 days. You have several options. The inclusion of grain into the diet to extend the time you can use the feed. Find another brand of organic feed or go back to scratch and peck and ferment it so the goodies in the fines will be bound up with the larger particles.

 

[tsperry88]

Thank you for calling them. I made the assumption that decent feed company would have properly formulated feed. I have 9 days before chicks arrive, so I can come up with something else. My older chickens will probably get the crumbles mixed into their feed.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That will work.
Even mixing it half and half with a properly formulated chick starter will yield a feed about 1.75 to 2%. Still a little high but won't kill straight away.

That is the same assumption I would have made but good on you for reading the guaranteed analysis. I bet 80% of people don't do that.
I'm sure their plan was to make a feed appropriate for ducks so their focus was on niacin. I think it was a mistake for them to include chicks in the feeding directions.
The more I look into this, I think their focus was on finding organic ingredients and not on basic nutrition. That calcium contact is way to high for ducklings too. Maybe they don't employ a poultry nutritionist at all. I thought all manufacturers had at least one educated nutritionist. Obviously I was wrong.
I asked to speak to a nutritionist and the person answering the phone put me in contact with a manager saying all the managers knew a lot about nutrition. Apparently not.

 

[tsperry88]

My chickens have been on their grower feed since they were 8 weeks old. Apparently I have giving them way to much calcium as well.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yup. That is too high. If you lose a bird suddenly with no symptoms, send it to one of the labs or do a cursory DIY necropsy and I would expect urolithiasis. You sill find asymmetrical kidney segments. There are 6 segments. Some would likely be atrophied and some swollen.

 

[tsperry88]

Our feed store primarily carries New Country Organics and Purina. I know they are a smaller company, but how has this not been caught and addressed?