What Feed can I use for a mixed flock?

[kealoni]

It is 15%

 

[junebuggena]

It is 15%

That would be meat bird grower/finisher. The lower protein content helps control their rapid growth weight so that they don't end up crippled by 8 weeks of age.
Normal breed chickens are not prone to eating themselves to death, and need a higher protein feed.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

15% is far too low. I've seen 15 and 16% on layer feed bags too. With extensive research suppliers have come up with bare minimum protein. I consider 18% minimum, use 20% and would prefer more but local mill makes everything 20 and can't beat the price of $12.50 per 50# bag.

 

[kealoni]

So is starter/grower that is 20% safe for all ages so roosters and young hens don't get to much calcium

 

[junebuggena]

So is starter/grower that is 20% safe for all ages so roosters and young hens don't get to much calcium

As long as it's unmedicated, yes.

 

[BantamLover21]

As long as it's unmedicated, yes.

I'm just curious: Why does it have to be non-medicated (for Coccidosis)? I'm not sure if prolonged use of a coccidiostat in a feed has harmful results. I know that I used a medicated gamebird grower feed for my roosters for over four years and had no ill effects (high fertility, good feather growth for the whole time period).

 

[junebuggena]

Amprolium is a thiamine blocker. Feeding medicated feed long term can cause thiamine deficiency.

 

[lazy gardener]

Quote: Medication is Amprolium in most chick starters. While I have no information to back up my theory, I'll tell you what I do think. Take it from where it comes: Amprolium works to block Thiamine uptake in the Cocci. Thiamine is an essential vitamin. Lack of it causes all sorts of problems. If it blocks Thiamine uptake in the cocci, is it possible that it blocks uptake in the chicken as well? I don't have an answer to that, but I can say that I choose to not put un necessary medications or chemicals into my food chain. And I've found that medication is simply not necessary. I use FF, which is loaded with probiotics to promote a healthy gut. Cocci are found in the gut of every chicken. It's only when they get out of balance, and outnumber the good organisms that the bird gets sick. So, using FF along with early exposure of the chicks (within the first 2 weeks of hatch, when their immune system is highest in antibodies provided by their mother) to native soil (where the chicks pick up lots of beneficial bacteria and fungi as well as the native strains of cocci) provides the healthiest gut so the bird has a healthy immune system from the beginning. Have never used medicated feed. Have never had issue with coccidiosis. Have been hatching for 4 years. I'm not sure what the medication is in the gamebird grower, but you should check the company instructions. I wouldn't be surprised if they say not to use medication past the chick stage.

 

[kealoni]

Can I use a 20% feed with oyster shell on the side.or is 20% to high because most layer feeds are at 17%

 

[kealoni]

Also can they be on this feed forever?