Noticed somthing about differant feed.

[RlgNorth]

I used to buy my chicken feed at walmart , but I have started buying the nutrena kind from the feed store becuase you get 50 pound bags and last longer. Well it has been about 2 weeks since they have been on the new feed and I have noticed thier eggs have increased in size BIG time. Could it just be fluke or does differant feed change size in eggs. I love how big they are now.

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

It is more than likely the improved quality of the feed from Nutrena over the feed you purchased at Wal-Mart.

I know the theme of BYC is to bash commercial feed and feed companies, but most companies produce quality feeds with ingredients and nutrient levels that help the Backyard Flocks prosper. Stick with the Nutrena [of course I'd prefer Hubbard ;-)] and enjoy the eggs and your chickens.

Jim

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

I wouldn't think it would? How old are your chickens?

 

[tdgill]

wondering what the protein contents are between the walmart and the new feed? I thought i read higher protein makes bigger eggs (sometimes not a GOOD thing, ouch!)

 

[horsejody]

Feed can definitely make a difference. Quality in = quality out. Garbage in + garbage out. My birds tend to produce best with good feed combined with free ranging.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay :

It is more than likely the improved quality of the feed from Nutrena over the feed you purchased at Wal-Mart.

I know the theme of BYC is to bash commercial feed and feed companies, but most companies produce quality feeds with ingredients and nutrient levels that help the Backyard Flocks prosper. Stick with the Nutrena [of course I'd prefer Hubbard ;-)] and enjoy the eggs and your chickens.

Jim

I would think BYC has just as many pro-commercial feed people as anti-commercial feed people. You see both sides a lot.​

 

[tdgill]

what makes it improved, generally?

 

[RlgNorth]

The eggs aren't too big they are just slightly bigger then normal I would get one or two a day this size but not all of them. Now they all are good large size instead of medium, the chickens were born in April. They free range too but up here in the winter nothing really to eat lol. I give them fresh vegies, scratch, oyster shells, grit and layer feed. I know the older they get the larger the egg will be. It just funny the eggs got bigger when i changed thier feed. lol

I would love to buy the organic feed but up here it soo pricy. i figure it only during the winter then they will go back to free range.

When I go outside I will look at the protien content from each bag i beleive I still have a walmart bag laying around.It was funny you think walmart woudl be cheaper then feed stores but me and my husband figured out the math and the feed store was 2 cents cheaper plus you got 50 pound bags not 40pound I only go into town once every 2 weeks so I like to stock up.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

When I want to step up the egg production and quality I mix >hog finisher< in with the layer pellets.

The hens give nice big eggs with great yolks and they do it often, more often than with out the hog finisher.

I only do this about once a month though, seems they really increase their intake on water and poultry grain too.

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

I took the time to compare the ingredient statments from a "local" Feed Supplier and a "national" Feed Company. Both of these layer feeds have a 17% Crude Protein Guarantee.

I took the liberty of bolding the specialty ingredients that make the ration from the national feed company "better". The highlighted products are designed to improve gut health and the immune system of the hens.

In the case of Wal-Mart and other large box retail outlets the feeds are typically "Bid Out" to feed manufacters with a predetermined nutrient profile. The bidder with the lowest price for the feed gets to make it. There is no room for discussions about improving the feed with specialty ingredients or changing the nutrient profile, just provide a price and the cheapest man wins.

Jim

Local Layer Feed
Plant Protein Products, Grain Producets, Porcine Meat & Bone Meal, Alfalfa Products, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Processed Grain By-Products, Molasses Products, Salt, Methionine Hydroxy Analogue, Choline Chloride, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Vitamin E, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Vitamin A supplement (Stability Improved), Folic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Thiamin Mononitrate, Vitami B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, BHT, and Ethoxyquin (preservatives)

National Feed Company Layer Feed
Grain products, plant protein products, processed grain by-products, calcium carbonate, monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, forage products, salt, vegetable oil, DL-methionine hydroxy analogue, magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, choline chloride, manganous oxide, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, dried yeast fermentation solubles, selenium yeast, brewer's dried yeast, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, ethylenediamine dihydriodide, folic acid, thiamine mononitrate, biotin