Spent Grain

[Sqwidy]

This is super helpful -- thanks!

 

[Amirah]

This is all every good advice. Does rolled oats count as scratch? Because I know the protein in there is a decent amount. Some people say its even 18% if soaked.

About too much protein causing smelling poo, that's really good to know! I will definitely keep that in mind! I just bought a new organic feed that will arrive in the mail
soon. I know my chickens will love it because they are not very picky at all and people rate this food really good. Even their picky chickens love it!

http://www.amazon.com/Free-Non-GMO-...18923161&sr=8-7&keywords=organic+chicken+feed

Ingredients: Organic Fertrell Nutri-Balancer(tm), Flax, Probiotics, DE, Seeds, Grains, Meals, Animal Proteins.

Animal protein would mean like crickets or bugs in the context of chicken feed?

The only critique I can think of this brand is that they lack Calcium in the feed but thats ok because I have eggs shelled and oyster shells I already give.

 

[MeepBeep]

Rolled oats should be treated as a treat...

Animal protein in commercial chicken food would likely be fish meal, but it could also be beef/chicken meat/bone meal or feather meal depending on cost...

 

[pdirt]

They list that feed as "our original layer", but as you pointed out it doesn't contain enough calcium for layers.

I'd email them and ask what sources of "animal protein" they use. They sound like a conscientious company, but I'd steer from it if they were using animal protein from animals that had been fed GMO feed or feed that had been sprayed with pest- or herbicides. Fish meal is a better option in that case, IMO.

Also, for less than what you paid for the 20lbs bag, you could get a 40lbs bag of equal if not better feed through Azure Standard. They sell Scratch n Peck feeds. They deliver (mostly free) to most of the USA except for the east coast.

 

[Amirah]

Wow!!! Thank you so much for pointing that out to me. I will order that bag next time

 

[Amirah]

Actually.... it does contain Ca and the trace minerals...lol

https://www.azurestandard.com/shop/product/12140/

 

[pdirt]

[COLOR=800000]Actually.... it does contain Ca and the trace minerals...lol[/COLOR]

https://www.azurestandard.com/shop/product/12140/

Yes, the Nutribalancer contains calcium, but it is used in very small quantities in a formulated feed. If you read the q&a of the product on their Amazon listing, someone asks if it contains extra calcium for layers and they reply no, you need to add it on the side.

Nutribalancer is good stuff. Scratch n Peck feed contains it as well.

EDIT: I stand corrected, this H&H feed does contain enough calcium for layers, at least one person here says too much calcium.

 

[MeepBeep]

They list that feed as "our original layer", but as you pointed out it doesn't contain enough calcium for layers.

[COLOR=800000]Actually.... it does contain Ca and the trace minerals...lol[/COLOR]

Personally I would be concerned with that companies marketing practices, especially if the guy answering the questions on Amazon is the same Johnathan that is employed as the shipper... That feed is loaded with calcium contrary to what the comments say!

 

[Amirah]

Is that an appropriate amount of Calcium for 6-8 month old pullets? or too much? ahh!

 

[MeepBeep]

[COLOR=800000]Is that an appropriate amount of Calcium for 6-8 month old pullets? or too much?  ahh![/COLOR]

Growing birds and non-laying birds should have about 1.2% calcium, a layer should have about 2.5% - 3.5%... The 4.5% - 5% in this feed is way to high for non-layers...

I'm against forced calcium feeding, IMO it's really best to provide the calcium on the side and let the bird self regulate as they are well aware of their calcium needs...