Overwhelmed with feeds

[RootedTogetherHomestead]

Hi everyone

Our girls are 15 weeks and have been on 20% Organic chick and meatbird starter grower crumbles by Kalmbach. I thought we would soon be switching to a layer feed, but after looking here, I saw that it's generally not recommended due to its low protein content... So, we are back to "what do we feed them?"..

We want organic with the best price point. We have a local feed store that sells New Country Organics, but I only found one higher protein content feed, Organic Pastured Perfect Starter Feed (21%).

Also, when is it safe to offer oyster shells on the side? Thanks, guys.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I'd just keep them on what you have. I don't think you'll find a better price point for organic than Kalmbach. Curious is anyone has a better suggestion though.

I normally start oyster shell once somebody squats, usually around 16-20 weeks.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The oyster shell is easy, you can start now. They tend to know if they need it for eggshells so should not eat enough to hurt themselves. I keep a mixed age flock, hens hatch eggs and raise the chicks with the flock. Oyster shell is always available as I always have laying hens with the flock. Will you be adding new pullets in future years while you still have these girls? If so, the new chicks will be exposed to oyster shell while they are with your hens that are laying. It is not a problem, they can manage it.

I'm not one to think that you have to have a high percentage of protein, but many people on this forum do think that way. I'm happy with mine getting a 16% protein feed. Mine forage for a lot of their food so I can't micromanage every bite anyway. So I'm one of the people they are warning you about.

You can always find a few radical fanatics on any question but I think you will find that the majority of people on here that feel they need a high protein diet are happy with a 20% level, that it is plenty high enough. 20% is generally considered a high protein diet. 20% is not too much, it will not be enough to harm them. It is higher than the 16% some of us use.

I copied the analysis for your current feed. The calcium is low so you will need a calcium supplement like oyster shell on the side. If you want even more protein than the 20% feed them some high protein treat, like cat food. Don't use dog food, the salt content is probably too high. Other than calcium and potentially protein the other levels look good.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein	20.0% min
Crude Fat	3.5% min
Crude Fiber	6.0% max
Calcium	0.8% min
Calcium	1.3% max
Lysine	1.1% min
Methionine	0.45% min
Phosphorus	0.6% min
Salt	0.2% min
Salt	0.7% max
Vitamin A	6,000 IU/lb min
Vitamin D	2,000 IU/lb min
Vitamin E	30 IU/lb min

 

[RootedTogetherHomestead]

The oyster shell is easy, you can start now. They tend to know if they need it for eggshells so should not eat enough to hurt themselves. I keep a mixed age flock, hens hatch eggs and raise the chicks with the flock. Oyster shell is always available as I always have laying hens with the flock. Will you be adding new pullets in future years while you still have these girls? If so, the new chicks will be exposed to oyster shell while they are with your hens that are laying. It is not a problem, they can manage it.

I'm not one to think that you have to have a high percentage of protein, but many people on this forum do think that way. I'm happy with mine getting a 16% protein feed. Mine forage for a lot of their food so I can't micromanage every bite anyway. So I'm one of the people they are warning you about.

You can always find a few radical fanatics on any question but I think you will find that the majority of people on here that feel they need a high protein diet are happy with a 20% level, that it is plenty high enough. 20% is generally considered a high protein diet. 20% is not too much, it will not be enough to harm them. It is higher than the 16% some of us use.

I copied the analysis for your current feed. The calcium is low so you will need a calcium supplement like oyster shell on the side. If you want even more protein than the 20% feed them some high protein treat, like cat food. Don't use dog food, the salt content is probably too high. Other than calcium and potentially protein the other levels look good.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein	20.0% min
Crude Fat	3.5% min
Crude Fiber	6.0% max
Calcium	0.8% min
Calcium	1.3% max
Lysine	1.1% min
Methionine	0.45% min
Phosphorus	0.6% min
Salt	0.2% min
Salt	0.7% max
Vitamin A	6,000 IU/lb min
Vitamin D	2,000 IU/lb min
Vitamin E	30 IU/lb min

Thank you for the feedback. As far as adding new pullets, it's to be determined. Our girls currently are in an enclosed runner due to many predators in our area (building a tractor for them soon to forage around the yard while I watch). We do not necessarily want a higher protein diet, just whatever is the best/easiest for their care. We do have oysters shells already, as I planned to offer them even if we were going to a layer feed. Thank you again for the feedback from the "other side" of the debate.

 

[nuthatched]

18 to 20% feed is perfectly fine, there is such a thing as too high protein.
Don't feed other animal feeds.

 

[Folly's place]

We also feed a 20% all flock feed, with separate oyster shell and grit. Our birds can free range sometimes, and during winter get very little worth eating out there.
Pay attention to the mill date on each bag of feed you buy! Here we plan to feed within two months of the mill date if at all possible, and will but an unmedicated chick starter if the all flock feed is not as fresh as we would like it to be.
RR, in Louisiana, has different plants and other edibles out there for her birds, no doubt also helpful. Ours have done better on the higher protein feed, and because we have males, youngsters, and hens who aren't laying eggs consistently, layer feed is not a good choice for our flock.
Mary