Thoughts on Purina feeds?

[Willow2253]

Ok @Willow2253 but the thing is that the reason I get the $28 Green Mountain Feeds layer pellets and chick starter is because it's the best chickens can have in MA. It's Organic, non-GMO, and non medicated. Maybe you can have your chickens eating GMO feeds, but I won't.

You asked for opinions on purina, I’m just giving mine. You can feed your flock whatever you think is best for them. I just prefer to spend a little less to get the same results. In my case that is nutrena feed, which is non gmo.
All I was trying to say is you can still get quality feed without buying the most expensive one.

 

[Big Doggie]

Ok @Willow2253 but the thing is that the reason I get the $28 Green Mountain Feeds layer pellets and chick starter is because it's the best chickens can have in MA. It's Organic, non-GMO, and non medicated. Maybe you can have your chickens eating GMO feeds, but I won't.

I’m not responding to your post but I’d like to know if chicken feed is made in China. My concern is that years ago there was a problem with dog food made in China and sold here under all kinds of names including the “designer” foods. Many dogs were sickened and died.

 

[Folly's place]

It wasn't the food that was made in China, it was an ingredient that was deliberately contaminated with a toxic product, and shipped here for pet food. Also, some rawhide chewies originating there have been contaminated by a different product.
When the feed companies figured out the first problem, unfortunately after some pets got sick and died, it was rectified.
In China, some baby formula was also poisoned, awful! There were executions over it, as I recall.
Mary

 

[Big Doggie]

It wasn't the food that was made in China, it was an ingredient that was deliberately contaminated with a toxic product, and shipped here for pet food. Also, some rawhide chewies originating there have been contaminated by a different product.
When the feed companies figured out the first problem, unfortunately after some pets got sick and died, it was rectified.
In China, some baby formula was also poisoned, awful! There were executions over it, as I recall.
Mary

Yeah the Chinese govt tried a guy then executed him quickly.

 

[azure_]

You asked for opinions on purina, I’m just giving mine. You can feed your flock whatever you think is best for them. I just prefer to spend a little less to get the same results. In my case that is nutrena feed, which is non gmo.
All I was trying to say is you can still get quality feed without buying the most expensive one.

Yeah sorry. I just know there are people who feed really awful stuff to there animals

 

[lancasterflock]

I was using organic Purina grower pellets While my girls were still young. My girls grew up and are now laying ( some, not all ) I just happened to make connections with a local farmer who mixes Chicken feed by hand on a family farm. I was paying $30 for a 40Lb bag of Purina grower pellets. When I went to the farm I paid $60 for 300lbs in a barrel !!! The barrel was a one time fee of $15. The mixture contains wheat, barley, Canola seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, safflower, mineral pack, oyster shell and kelp! Super good chicken feed at a bargain of a price!

 

[azure_]

I was using organic Purina grower pellets While my girls were still young. My girls grew up and are now laying ( some, not all ) I just happened to make connections with a local farmer who mixes Chicken feed by hand on a family farm. I was paying $30 for a 40Lb bag of Purina grower pellets. When I went to the farm I paid $60 for 300lbs in a barrel !!! The barrel was a one time fee of $15. The mixture contains wheat, barley, Canola seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, safflower, mineral pack, oyster shell and kelp! Super good chicken feed at a bargain of a price!

Good for you NOT TRYING TO BE RUDE but do you know if the Canola or any of the other things are GMO? Just wondering please don't hate me now

 

[Cindy in PA]

You asked for opinions on purina, I’m just giving mine. You can feed your flock whatever you think is best for them. I just prefer to spend a little less to get the same results. In my case that is nutrena feed, which is non gmo.
All I was trying to say is you can still get quality feed without buying the most expensive one.

Where in the world do you get Nutrena feed that is non GMO? I have never seen such a thing. Cargill's NaturenSmart is organic & therefore non GMO, but never heard of any other Nutrena feed that is Non GOMO.

 

[mcdze]

to me the best feed is just the condition its in .. if you find a 'clean' place with a high rotation rate of product its going to be better than the 'super healthy mix' sitting on the shelf for months over there in that place, probably with weevils in it ..

 

[keesmom]

Ok @Willow2253 but the thing is that the reason I get the $28 Green Mountain Feeds layer pellets and chick starter is because it's the best chickens can have in MA. It's Organic, non-GMO, and non medicated. Maybe you can have your chickens eating GMO feeds, but I won't.

There's nothing wrong with the most common medicated feed, one that contains amprolium. It is not an antibiotic. If one has problems with coccidiosis it's a lifesaver.

As for what's the best feed for a flock, that's going to vary by owner. I prefer to use a feed that has more protein than the usual layer flock. I feel my birds do better on 20-22%. So I regularly use Blue Seal's gamebird crumbles, Purina's Flock Raiser, and if for some reason I'm in SE MA I'll get Ventura Grain's gamebird grower. I get any of those brands freshly milled - Blue Seal directly from them in Milford NH, Flock Raiser from Erikson's in Acton and Ventura's from their mill in Taunton. Ventura's is the only feed I've found anywhere remotely close that actually includes animal protein (fish meal). All 3 of these feeds have lower calcium than layer which is better for any chicks, molting birds and males that I may have. Oyster shell on the side for layers.

Organic and nonGMO would be nice, but I feel the higher protein is more important for my flock. The cost is half the organic, which is a definite plus when one has 50 birds. Unfortunately if you really want to stick to organic you'll have to continue with Green Mountain, or see which other companies my deliver to you.