Question about feeding chicks in mixed flock

[FLChickens]

I've got a small mixed flock, three hens of different ages (1-2 years) and three sets of chicks (9 total) of varying ages - about 3-4 weeks, 7 weeks, 12 weeks.

And I feel funny asking such a basic question, but it's been a LONG time since I bought commercial feed apart from laying crumbles.

Because I have so few, and they get supplemental foods, I only bought chick starter. I don't remember if it's supposed to be mostly the consistency of cornmeal, or if I got a bad batch? I use a large feeder in the coop and I'm concerned with the dust-like consistency they might not even be able to really eat it. But maybe that's normal and I just forgot?

My thought is to switch to layer crumbles for the regular feed.

They also get scratch for now, but they really waste a lot of it, so I'm thinking to go back to my old practice of buying grain and soaking it instead. They get almost all of our kitchen leftovers, I cook rice for them sometimes, and we have a soldier fly factory going and give them the larvae. I also give them clover, etc. but I'm just about out of edible weeds for them. They aren't free range, but we do all we can to get them any insects, etc. and it's not rare for them to get frogs or lizards. We also feed cooked meat scraps on the bone.

So ... any problem you think with switching to layer crumble? I've raised most f my chickens free range so that the feed didn't make up that much of their diet, but since this flock is in confinement, I was concerned that I might need to be more careful.

Thanks!

 

[azygous]

You can safely feed chick starter to the entire flock. However, check the date on the sew tape on the bottom edge of the feed sack. If it's months old, it may be rancid and not a good idea to feed.

Most of us forego layer feed entirely and feed an all-flock feed such as Purina Flock Raiser. Layer feed over-rated in value for one thing, and the high calcium content isn't good for chickens that don't lay eggs, meaning roosters, chicks, and "retired" hens. We simply offer oyster shell for the hens still laying, and everyone safely gets what they need.

 

[FLChickens]

Thanks. The bag is gone (I store feed in bins) so I can't check the date. I bought it over two months ago. I'm not used to feed lasting more than a week, lol. But that was usually for 100+ chickens, a dozen or so geese, several dozen ducks, and guineas to boot.

I might have to toss it after all. It smells fresh, no insects. I just don't like the fine consistency.

I'll look into flock raiser, thanks. I used to mix grains and sprout them, and my flock used to free-range pretty aggressively (I had good foragers raising my chicks) so I'm a bit embarrassed to know so little about chicken feed.

Thanks.

 

[Folly's place]

Two months or older is way too old; some of the vitamins in the feed will be at lower than adequate levels for your birds, especially the chicks. Grit your teeth and buy fresh! I get Flock Raiser, never older than four weeks, and use it up within two weeks max. I also keep it in the bag, in case there's ever a problem, and I need to talk to Purina. Mary

 

[FLChickens]

Thank you Mary.

 

[yyz0yyz0]

If your not willing to just throw out the feed you can always ferment it or just moisten it and mix with other things when feeding it to them.
If you get other feed with this consistency, just ferment or wet that feed also. My flock has a feeder full of dry crumbles and once a day I mix up a bowl for them of crumble/ACV/water/scraps. I mix it to a paste consistency and they go nuts over it.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

^ This. I was going to say ferment it or at least wet it and then it will bind more and not be wasted as much.

 

[lazy gardener]

Fermenting rancid feed is not going to fix it at all.

 

[Folly's place]

Fermentation will not repair a vitamin deficit, either. Mary

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Ditto to the above two, I just meant if you buy another crumble feed you can wet or ferment it but I wasn't clear on that. I also second the suggestion of keeping it in the bag, so you have the label and so you can roll it up to keep air and moisture out.