Overwhelmed With Feed Thoughts, Please Help!

[ChickenChick46]

Okay, y'all. Do you need someone to overthink the crap out of things for you? Do you need a person in your life who'll research to the point of decision paralysis? Do I have just the person for you!

I initially planned to switch my flock to an All Flock feed when my oldest chicks get closer to point of lay. They're only 6 weeks old right now. But because I do have 2, soon to be 3, younger groups, and I plan to add more next spring, I thought All Flock was a good idea for mixed ages and having both males and females.

But then I found out that I can just keep everyone on chick starter. Right now, everyone is on medicated starter. Is it okay for them to stay on that as they get older, or do I need to switch to nonmedicated? If so, at what age?

I planned to use the Kalmbach feed in the picture. This would be provided free choice, all day. I also wanted to feed some fermented feed.

I planned to ferment the grains in the other picture and feed them once or twice per day, in a separate container, more as a supplement to their dry feed. I will also provide free choice oyster shell and grit.

Am I on the right path? Or am I totally overthinking and complicating this? Thank you for your thoughts!

 

[ChickyCh00k]

I don't see any pics...

I totally get the overthinking issue - I am guil-TEEE of it myself.

You don't want to keep ALL the chickens on medicated feed forever because amprolium blocks thiamine, which they do need. I would feed medicated feed to any new chicks for at least 8-10 weeks - assuming they have touched grass by then. You want to keep the babies on medicated feed until a few weeks after they have been outside regularly (where they would be exposed to cocci).

Once new chicks are fully integrated with older ones they can all be on an All Flock (or UNMEDICATED chick starter - although, chick starter tends to be a bit more expensive and messier because it's a much finer crumble), with oyster shell on the side.

There really isn't any need to ferment feed (unless you REALLY want to take the extra time to do so)...a wet mash is just as lovely for them. I found out the hard way that fermenting feed really has no nutritional benefit, it's just extra work. Some folks swear by it, and I say more power to 'em, that's just my 2 cents on it. My birds LOOOOVE a wet mash - warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

 

[ChickenChick46]

I don't see any pics...

I totally get the overthinking issue - I am guil-TEEE of it myself.

You don't want to keep ALL the chickens on medicated feed forever because amprolium blocks thiamine, which they do need. I would feed medicated feed to any new chicks for at least 8-10 weeks - assuming they have touched grass by then. You want to keep the babies on medicated feed until a few weeks after they have been outside regularly (where they would be exposed to cocci).

Once new chicks are fully integrated with older ones they can all be on an All Flock (or UNMEDICATED chick starter - although, chick starter tends to be a bit more expensive and messier because it's a much finer crumble), with oyster shell on the side.

There really isn't any need to ferment feed (unless you REALLY want to take the extra time to do so)...a wet mash is just as lovely for them. I found out the hard way that fermenting feed really has no nutritional benefit, it's just extra work. Some folks swear by it, and I say more power to 'em, that's just my 2 cents on it. My birds LOOOOVE a wet mash - warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

I forgot them. Adding them now. I'm sorry!

 

[ChickenChick46]

I don't see any pics...

I totally get the overthinking issue - I am guil-TEEE of it myself.

You don't want to keep ALL the chickens on medicated feed forever because amprolium blocks thiamine, which they do need. I would feed medicated feed to any new chicks for at least 8-10 weeks - assuming they have touched grass by then. You want to keep the babies on medicated feed until a few weeks after they have been outside regularly (where they would be exposed to cocci).

Once new chicks are fully integrated with older ones they can all be on an All Flock (or UNMEDICATED chick starter - although, chick starter tends to be a bit more expensive and messier because it's a much finer crumble), with oyster shell on the side.

There really isn't any need to ferment feed (unless you REALLY want to take the extra time to do so)...a wet mash is just as lovely for them. I found out the hard way that fermenting feed really has no nutritional benefit, it's just extra work. Some folks swear by it, and I say more power to 'em, that's just my 2 cents on it. My birds LOOOOVE a wet mash - warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Okay, that was what I was thinking about the medicated feed. Only for so long. My oldest birds have been on medicated starter for about 5 weeks, and they're moving into the coop this weekend (almost 7 weeks old now). So I think I'll keep buying the smaller bags of it for now, then switch the oldest birds off of it in a couple weeks. They have been going outside every day for several weeks, so exposure to our soil is not an issue. The younger ones can stay on medicated for now.

Thank you so much for your detailed response, it really helps!

 

[ChickyCh00k]

I forgot them. Adding them now. I'm sorry!

I would leave the scratch grains at the store (again, just my opinion). If you have your heart set on fermenting, I would go with a whole grain complete feed (not scratch) - Kalmbach makes a line called Henhouse Reserve (or Chickhouse Reserve as a starter feed) that has whole grains and would probably be suitable for fermenting.

The things I learned to look at on feed labels (from a well-regarded feed analyzer here on BYC):

% protein (higher than 16, but not more than 20 in most cases)
Lysine (higher is better >0.7 *I think)
Methionine (higher is better >0.4 *I think)

I'm not sure on the exact Lysine and Methionine minimums to get above, but I try to find feeds that have high numbers for both. Kalmbach Flock Maker has good numbers, as does Nutrena All Flock, and Purina All Flock, IIRC...

Okay, that was what I was thinking about the medicated feed. Only for so long. My oldest birds have been on medicated starter for about 5 weeks, and they're moving into the coop this weekend (almost 7 weeks old now). So I think I'll keep buying the smaller bags of it for now, then switch the oldest birds off of it in a couple weeks. They have been going outside every day for several weeks, so exposure to our soil is not an issue. The younger ones can stay on medicated for now.
Thank you so much for your detailed response, it really helps!

Getting them outside while they're still on medicated feed is the right way to go (IMO) - build up that immunity before switching feed!

You've got it!

 

[ChickenChick46]

I would leave the scratch grains at the store (again, just my opinion). If you have your heart set on fermenting, I would go with a whole grain complete feed (not scratch) - Kalmbach makes a line called Henhouse Reserve (or Chickhouse Reserve as a starter feed) that has whole grains and would probably be suitable for fermenting.

The things I learned to look at on feed labels (from a well-regarded feed analyzer here on BYC):

% protein (higher than 16, but not more than 20 in most cases)
Lysine (higher is better >0.7 *I think)
Methionine (higher is better >0.4 *I think)

I'm not sure on the exact Lysine and Methionine minimums to get above, but I try to find feeds that have high numbers for both. Kalmbach Flock Maker has good numbers, as does Nutrena All Flock, and Purina All Flock, IIRC...

Getting them outside while they're still on medicated feed is the right way to go (IMO) - build up that immunity before switching feed!

You've got it!

Thank you so much! I actually have looked at both the Kalmbach and Nutrena you mentioned. Chewy has them both.

We have a Tractor Supply and a Rural King both plenty close, but I like the convenience of Chewy.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Thank you so much! I actually have looked at both the Kalmbach and Nutrena you mentioned. Chewy has them both.

We have a Tractor Supply and a Rural King both plenty close, but I like the convenience of Chewy.

You're very welcome. I have used both Kalmbach and Nutrena for years, but I seem to always go back to Nutrena (it smells like stuffing, and I really like that).

Same! I use Chewy for my chicken feed and dog food - free delivery and the subscription convenience makes it well worth it!

The less I need to go into an actual store, the better, lol.

 

[ChickenChick46]

You're very welcome. I have used both Kalmbach and Nutrena for years, but I seem to always go back to Nutrena (it smells like stuffing, and I really like that).

Same! I use Chewy for my chicken feed and dog food - free delivery and the subscription convenience makes it well worth it!

The less I need to go into an actual store, the better, lol.

Mmm stuffing, lol.

Yeah our dogs eat Freshpet, so we could get that from Chewy as well. It would definitely be better than going in Walmart!

 

[ChickyCh00k]

It would definitely be better than going in Walmart!