They ate all the calcium! Too much?

[2 Acres]

The Flock Maker is nearly the same as yours, as are all of the all-flock versions. I just want the higher protein, as we feed everyone the same thing. Day-old chicks, old chickens, roosters, and ducks. Yours and this version have high naicin for waterfowl.

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Compared to their layer feed, which is not good for chicks, roosters, or the ducks.
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Well the table you show has 3.5 and 4.5 for calcium. That's high, especially if you have roosters. That's the way I understand it.

The total protein and calcium % are both low for growing birds, or any chickens IMO.
Mary

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No it's not. The back of the bag shows .75 percent minimum calcium and 1.25 percent maximum calcium. That is very low

 

[Debbie292d]

Well the table you show has 3.5 and 4.5 for calcium. That's high, especially if you have roosters. That's the way I understand it.


No it's not. The back of the bag shows .75 percent minimum calcium and 1.25 percent maximum calcium. That is very low

You're quoting layer. I posted that to show a difference.

If you're trying to compare Kalmbach's Flock Maker with Flock Maintainer, those are nearly the same.

Flock Maker: .80, 1.30
Maintainer: .75, 1.25

 

[2 Acres]

You're quoting layer, that's not what I use. I posted that to show a difference.

If you're trying to compare Kalmbach's Flock Maker with Flock Maintainer, those are nearly the same.

All I see is low calcium numbers on the Maintainer feed. Now the 17 percent layer feed shows 3.50 and 4.50 for calcium

 

[Debbie292d]

All I see is low calcium numbers on the Maintainer feed. Now the 17 percent layer feed shows 3.50 and 4.50 for calcium

I'll post it again but you missed it above.

Flock Maker: .80, 1.30
Maintainer: .75, 1.25

 

[2 Acres]

S

All I see is low calcium numbers on the Maintainer feed. Now the 17 percent layer feed shows 3.50 and 4.50 for calcium

SO they are not quite the same, by a few percentages. The bag on the left is 17 percent layer. The bag on the right is 16 percent flock maintainer....which has much lower calcium.

To quote an old Coot I knew years ago.... I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday. And yes... It is possible to O.D a hen with/on Calcium.

No offense meant My apologies...

 

[Mother of Chaos]

All I see is low calcium numbers on the Maintainer feed. Now the 17 percent layer feed shows 3.50 and 4.50 for calcium

Because the Maintainer feed is an all-flock feed: layers, roosters, chicks, non-laying hens. Therefore enough calcium to support bones and muscle/nerve function, but NOT enough to also support eggshell production.

 

[2 Acres]

Because the Maintainer feed is an all-flock feed: layers, roosters, chicks, non-laying hens. Therefore enough calcium to support bones and muscle/nerve function, but NOT enough to also support eggshell production.

Well, I'm trying not to kill my roosters with a calcium overdose. Thus the 16 percent flock maintainer. (and the lower calcium numbers).

 

[2 Acres]

I'll post it again but you missed it above.

View attachment 4244095
Flock Maker: .80, 1.30
Maintainer: .75, 1.25

Thing is... I'm not using flock maker. I'm using 16 percent Maintainer. Also... I'm using 17 percent layer crumbles.

All this is because I have a Rooster I am trying to save. Thus my concern about it's calcium intake.

 

[Debbie292d]

Thing is... I'm not using flock maker. I'm using 16 percent Maintainer. Also... I'm using 17 percent layer crumbles.

All this is because I have a Rooster I am trying to save. Thus my concern about it's calcium intake.

We have about a dozen roosters, and I'm down to 20 chicks. We've been raising and breeding show-quality silkies for nearly a decade. Your feed is just fine. I just want higher protein and low calcium.

We use Kalmbach's Flock Maker (20%), as we have chicks, adults, and ducks who are all on it. This helps our silkies become and remain strong and beautiful.

Lester agrees. There's a few of other boys, Piper, MB, and Buddy who do too.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Well, I'm trying not to kill my roosters with a calcium overdose. Thus the 16 percent flock maintainer. (and the lower calcium numbers).

Well, of course.

But the protein levels are independent of the calcium levels. There are plenty of feeds with 20% or so protein, but still the low calcium amount - enough to support healthy bone development and nerve function in all chickens, although laying hens will need an additional independent source of calcium in the form of oyster shells for their own eggshells.

So there are high protein/ low calcium feeds, and there are low(er) protein/ high calcium feeds. But all chickens need some amount of calcium, just as all humans do, and dogs and cats and whatever else.

I don’t even have a rooster (we live in the city), and I use Kalmbach Flock Maker with high protein and low calcium. Their oyster shell is on the side. It should never be mixed in with their feed. Somehow, they know to eat it, along with their crunched-up eggshells that I offer back.