Please give your opinions on feeding my new chickens

[sahmoffour]

We just came back from a poultry show and I'm the proud new owner of 2 buff orpingtons, and a breeding pair of Ameracaunas (All 5 months old). We bought two bags of the feed she's been giving them, which is even ratios of 22% turkey grower, hen scratch and cracked barley. I was looking at our ufa and I can get rolled barley, hen scratch, but the 22% turkey grower only comes medicated. I would really prefer to not feed them medicated feed if possible, so it looks like I'll have to change their feed.

For feeding them, what would you recommend? They sell 17% layer ration, 35% layer mash, they also have hen scratch and oyster shells available. What would be best for them?

ETA: Also, if I have to switch their feed is it best to do it gradually? She said the feed she gave us should be enough for them to last about 8 days.

 

[Judy]

35% layer mash? Is it for chickens?

If it were me I'd just give the 17% layer and mix it with the old feed to change over gradually. But then I'm not a breeder, I just have mostly mutts for eggs and fun.

 

[speckledhen]

Get the 17% layer feed, skip the scratch and barley in there. If they are 5 months old, they aren't far from being ready to lay, most likely.

Never heard of 35%-that can't be meant to be fed by itself as that is way too high on the protein.

 

[Chris09]

The 35% protein is a concentrate not a laying mash (I would bet on it).
The concentrate is used for miking your own feed.

Hubbard Feed,

Nutrient Analysis

Crude Protein, min 38.0%
Lysine, min 2.2%
Methionine, min 0.86%
Crude Fat, min 1.0%
Crude Fiber, max 6.0%
Calcium (Ca), min 3.5%
Calcium (Ca), max 4.5%
Phosphorus (P), min 1.6%
Salt (NaCl), min 1.0%
Salt (NaCl), max 1.5%


Buckeye Feed


GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude Protein, min. 40.00%
Lysine, min. 2.25%
Methionine, min 0.80%
Crude Fat, min. 3.00%
Crude Fiber, max. 6.00%
Calcium, min. 2.80%
Calcium, max. 3.35%
Phosphorus, min. 1.60%
Salt, min. 0.60%
Salt, max. 1.10%


Chris

 

[Fred's Hens]

What Chris09 said. Sounds like the concentrate to me.

 

[sahmoffour]

I'm sure you guys are right, 35% sounds high even to me but they just have it written on their feed board as layer mash.

So I'll just switch them to the layer ration slowly over the next week. The breeder had just said that since they're heritage breeds they do better on the feed she was mixing. I'd prefer to keep it simple as possible though, and I called and they don't sell the 22% turkey grower in un-medicated.

What else do they need? I'm having a tough time remembering what my mom fed ours when I was growing up (and she's no longer around for me to ask). Do they need oyster shells or grit out free choice?

 

[Fred's Hens]

If you feed back their shells, as most of us do, it is unlikely they'll really need oyster shells. I've never had an issue. The layer mash (17%) is loaded with calcium and the additional egg shells, keeps our hens egg shells strong. But, nothing wrong with offering oyster shells if you have a soft shell issue surface.

The don't "need" scratch grains, but having some oats to soak a bit and toss, every three days as a special offering, keeps them happy. A quality 6 grain scratch would also be nice for the same purpose. Just something special, not something as a feed mainstay. The problem I have is that scratch around here is just 3 grain sweepings. Nothing special and priced way, way too high. Garden scraps are also highly appreciated by the birds.