Older Feed Toss or Use as a Supplement

[HeatherKellyB]

I have about 20-25lbs of Purina Layena Plus Omega-3 feed that I didn't finish using because my girls didn't seem to like it very much. I have already been through a bag of Nutrena Hearty Hen and now we're back on Purina Flock Raiser (always have oyster shell and grit in separate dishes on the side to eat as needed) until I can figure out a Layer feed that my girls will enjoy like they do Purina Flock Raiser. This bag was made on August 28th 2019. That means that this feed is 6 months old now and I don't normally use feed that has aged this long. It's been stored in my temperature controlled grooming shop, back in it's original bag (I normally store feed in buckets with airtight Lids), folded over and clipped to stay closed. I don't believe my girls will eat this as is, as they didn't like it much when it was fresh. Any suggestions on what to do with this feed? Just trash it? Look into fermenting (which I haven't done and do not know anything about, so there is a possibility that this feed isn't suitable. I honestly don't know)? If they didn't like it much as fresh pellets, will changing anything about the feed make it more appealing? I am OK with tossing it if it's going to possibly jeopardize my pullets health, but in the spirit of trying to minimize my wasteful habits, I figured it was worth asking about. Thank you for your time

Edited to add that after careful consideration, I'm going to toss it, just to be on the safe side. Thank you for your time

 

[sourland]

I'd be tempted to just toss it. Switching back and forth with feeds can reduce egg production. Chickens hate change in all forms.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I'd be tempted to just toss it. Switching back and forth with feeds can reduce egg production. Chickens hate change in all forms.

Thank you for replying. I didn't have a clue about changing around so much could reduce egg production. Since they all enjoy Purina Flock Raiser, I guess I should just keep them on that. This constant changing may be the reason for the egg production reduction.

 

[sourland]

Apparently a lot of people use Flock Raiser with oyster shell on the side .

 

[SueT]

I wouldn't use feed that old. When buying feed, I always check the mill date on the bag as well. Feed is perishable.
I use Flock Raiser with oyster shell on the side free choice.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Apparently a lot of people use Flock Raiser with oyster shell on the side .

Even with oyster shell on the side, I feel so much better if they eat a Layer feed. I know that egg production problems arise no matter what feed they're on, but I just feel a bit better if they're getting everything, and then getting any extra as they need. I am a chronic over thinker that can quickly make a mountain out of an ant hill (even less than a mole hill). They will eat Nutrena Hearty Hen but they know that Flock Raiser is in the larger shared run that they have access to daily, and they take off every time I open the fence to get to the Flock Raiser. They definitely eat more of the Flock Raiser. I can't put layer feed in the shared run because I have 3 cockerels that sleep there and occasionally spend some time during the day in the shared run (but never with the girls). We made the feeder and it's too large to remove/block and it's gravity filled, so putting small amounts isn't really something we can always be on top of, plus if I need to get the boys up quickly and unexpectedly, it's easiest to have Flock Raiser in there for all to enjoy

Edited to add ~ good grief at the amount of excuses I used here. Yikes!

 

[NatJ]

It's certainly not going to poison them (unless it actually spoiled.) It might have lower levels of some vitamins.

I would put a cup or so into a bowl, add water until it's a mushy consistency, and sit it out for the chickens to see what they think. Chickens often seem to like wet feed, so they might like it way.

If the chickens like it, you could give them a bit each day as a sort-of treat, until it's gone. (Being only part of their diet makes it less harmful if the vitamins aren't right, and it also avoids upsetting them with a complete change of feed.)

But if they don't eat it, then just throwing the whole thing away sounds sensible.

I am not suggesting fermenting, just getting the feed wet--much faster and easier! (Not saying there's anything wrong with fermenting, but it certainly takes more time and effort than just wetting the feed and serving it.)

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I wouldn't use feed that old. When buying feed, I always check the mill date on the bag as well. Feed is perishable.
I use Flock Raiser with oyster shell on the side free choice.

Thank you for your reply. I'll just toss it. I learned about feeding fresh feed from here, and feeding feed that old had me worried.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

It's certainly not going to poison them (unless it actually spoiled.) It might have lower levels of some vitamins.

I would put a cup or so into a bowl, add water until it's a mushy consistency, and sit it out for the chickens to see what they think. Chickens often seem to like wet feed, so they might like it way.

If the chickens like it, you could give them a bit each day as a sort-of treat, until it's gone. (Being only part of their diet makes it less harmful if the vitamins aren't right, and it also avoids upsetting them with a complete change of feed.)

But if they don't eat it, then just throwing the whole thing away sounds sensible.

I am not suggesting fermenting, just getting the feed wet--much faster and easier! (Not saying there's anything wrong with fermenting, but it certainly takes more time and effort than just wetting the feed and serving it.)

All of my birds get a mash every evening, before lock up, to get them all nice and full before the long night. They've actually come to expect it and wait on it every night I believe it's one of their favorite treats. Since they do expect it and wait for it, I worry that if they do eat it, it will make up too much of their diet than I'd prefer, especially not knowing how bad the quality is at this point. In the spirit of best practices, health, and safety, I will just toss it.

 

[MGG]

I use Country Companion layer crumbles. It's readily available here and the hens seem to do well on it. My hens hate pellets but love crumbles. Are your hens partial to one type? I agree with the wet feed idea too. My hens love wet feed