Purina flock raiser

[JudysMuscovy]

I have just switched over to using flock raiser because I have a mixed flock different ages youngest being 5 months old which have just started laying. I was feeding a layer feed to everyone. For about a month. I am just curious if anyone has noticed a change in egg laying when they switched to Purina flock raiser? I was also giving everyone crumble and switched to pellets. When I fed them last night they all seemed to like it.

 

[AlleysChicks]

I've always fed a flock feed and have had good egg laying. I've never used layer because of my boys and the number of young chicks running around.

 

[Dayrel]

I hope you are offering some type of calcium (oyster shell, etc) on the side. Layers need the extra calcium, but non-layers (chicks, roosters, non-laying females) will do better with the lower percentage of calcium.

 

[JudysMuscovy]

I hope you are offering some type of calcium (oyster shell, etc) on the side. Layers need the extra calcium, but non-layers (chicks, roosters, non-laying females) will benefit from the lower percentage of calcium.

Oh yes I am I just failed to mention that

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi.

I haven't noticed any difference. But I've been using flock raiser for quite some time (2 years) as it's the happiest medium for my multi age/gender flock.

My birds seem to lay great. And honestly I would expect your egg quality to get better feeding 20% protein instead of the standard 16% that's in layer. As a breeder, I've done lot's of research and higher protein gives you better hatches and chick vitality. Which to me says better nutrition in the eggs that you are eating as well!

I have gotten moldy pellets so I stick with crumbles. But I also ferment. In addition, Grange sells the crumbles for $3 less per bag than what I can get locally. If your birds like pellets, that's great. Mine did not like them at all. So that's completely just personal choice. Nutritionally they are the same, just a different size for consumption.

 

[JudysMuscovy]

Hi.

I haven't noticed any difference. But I've been using flock raiser for quite some time (2 years) as it's the happiest medium for my multi age/gender flock.

My birds seem to lay great. And honestly I would expect your egg quality to get better feeding 20% protein instead of the standard 16% that's in layer. As a breeder, I've done lot's of research and higher protein gives you better hatches and chick vitality. Which to me says better nutrition in the eggs that you are eating as well!

I have gotten moldy pellets so I stick with crumbles. But I also ferment. In addition, Grange sells the crumbles for $3 less per bag than what I can get locally. If your birds like pellets, that's great. Mine did not like them at all. So that's completely just personal choice. Nutritionally they are the same, just a different size for consumption.

I have been doing a lot of reading on different feed for them because I think having the Roosters in with the hens I needed to change the feed. I appreciate your input on this.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

That is one reason I use flock raiser instead of layer as well. I don't want my longer term roos to *possibly* have kidney issues caused by the extra calcium.

Many feed their rooster and hens (even chicks) layer for their whole life and still live 8-9 years. But knowing too much, I prefer the oyster shell on the side. In addition, 16% protein is the MINIMUM needed to sustain a LIGHT bodied hen in good condition. Most mine are not light bodied but dual purpose and I don't go for minimum nutrition, which can especially be effected by people who think they are giving their birds "good" lettuce or fruits and veggies.. not realizing that the feed was balanced and what they just added had little to no nutritional value and diminished their protein level. It's the amino acids in the protein that are important (and some of which need to come from an animal source but substituted as an added nutrient similar to cereal vitamins and minerals). And feathers are made up of 90% protein, being one reason why show breeders often go with higher (28%) in order to get healthier, shinier looking feathers. To me there is also a point of too much protein, which could also cause kidney issues but for different reasons than too much calcium. Balance is definitely key.

Also, noting the word Muscovy in your user name... when I got ducks I contacted Purina to find out what their level of niacin was since it isn't listed on the bag and that is a KEY nutrient for ducks. The level is 55 ppm, which is the correct amount for ducks to not develop leg issues due to deficiency. I wish they didn't (recently decided to) include DE, which is approved by the FDA at up to 2% as an anti caking agent. But alas I have not found any PERFECT feed with regards to nutrients, ingredients, and cost. I'm a huge label reader and spent lot's of time last year exploring my options. For ME the flock raiser is the best (not perfect) choice. I guess, often having chicks is probably another reason I will stick with the crumble. But I do buy pellets and throw those out as "scratch" or a treat on occasion. They get excited about it but NO diminishing of nutrients!

 

[AlleysChicks]

That is one reason I use flock raiser instead of layer as well. I don't want my longer term roos to *possibly* have kidney issues caused by the extra calcium.

Many feed their rooster and hens (even chicks) layer for their whole life and still live 8-9 years. But knowing too much, I prefer the oyster shell on the side. In addition, 16% protein is the MINIMUM needed to sustain a LIGHT bodied hen in good condition. Most mine are not light bodied but dual purpose and I don't go for minimum nutrition, which can especially be effected by people who think they are giving their birds "good" lettuce or fruits and veggies.. not realizing that the feed was balanced and what they just added had little to no nutritional value and diminished their protein level. It's the amino acids in the protein that are important (and some of which need to come from an animal source but substituted as an added nutrient similar to cereal vitamins and minerals). And feathers are made up of 90% protein, being one reason why show breeders often go with higher (28%) in order to get healthier, shinier looking feathers. To me there is also a point of too much protein, which could also cause kidney issues but for different reasons than too much calcium. Balance is definitely key.

Also, noting the word Muscovy in your user name... when I got ducks I contacted Purina to find out what their level of niacin was since it isn't listed on the bag and that is a KEY nutrient for ducks. The level is 55 ppm, which is the correct amount for ducks to not develop leg issues due to deficiency. I wish they didn't (recently decided to) include DE, which is approved by the FDA at up to 2% as an anti caking agent. But alas I have not found any PERFECT feed with regards to nutrients, ingredients, and cost. I'm a huge label reader and spent lot's of time last year exploring my options. For ME the flock raiser is the best (not perfect) choice. I guess, often having chicks is probably another reason I will stick with the crumble. But I do buy pellets and throw those out as "scratch" or a treat on occasion. They get excited about it but NO diminishing of nutrients!

I love the idea of throwing pellets as scratch! I have a block pan that I've been tossing some pellets into as well as their normal hanging feeder. They go nuts!

 

[speckledhen]

Well, first of all, I don't use Flock Raiser because it's vegetarian feed. I prefer animal protein in my feeds for better feather quality and energy. Second, it's much more expensive than the 22% layer pellets we buy, Tucker Milling brand. I think I pay $11 for that, would have to check the ticket from today. Third, Purina feeds just stink like chemicals to me. Tucker Milling feeds smell fresh, nothing that makes you hold your nose when you scoop them. Of course, some folks have little choice in their area.

I agree that 16% is bare minimum protein for layers and not enough for most larger heritage breed birds. As far as roosters, I've fed every rooster on this place for the past dozen years the same feed as the hens, other than one crippled rooster who lived in his own cage and ate a 12 grain scratch mix (now, we buy the 13 grain, 16% protein scratch). I've never had one develop any issues from eating the layer feed. I find that they really don't eat as much as the hens do anyway. And they tend to wait for their scratch mix once a day or just eat out on range. If I had a males-only pen, they'd eat the grain mix alone or some other pelleted feed with no calcium, but I don't sweat the details and just give them all the same feed, called 22% Super Layer from Tucker Milling. I'm not disputing that roosters don't need extra calcium, but it does not seem to make any real difference to their health, so I do the feeding the simplest way possible without sacrificing anything big laying hens need to crank out those eggs regularly.
*I've seen roosters eating oyster shell from the hopper, too, whatever you make of that*

 

[Jen2848]

I was feeding my mixed flock layer mash because I kept being told by the feed store that it would be ok. My Roosters started dying. Their symptoms were lameness and weight loss. I had a necropsy done and the calcium was affecting them (gout and kidney issues) and they were dying. I am so frustrated with the misinformation I received. I lost some really good and friendly roosters. Of course my really mean ones are thriving! I have since switched the flock to grower and have free choice oyster shell for the layers. I am considering the flock raiser and was on here looking for reviews. I wish I would have known more and could have saved my boys.