What is All Flock?

[PirateGirl]

I have tried looking at the tags and online sources but most of it is chemistry to me. I do not know how much lysine and methionine a chicken, duck, or turkey is supposed to have or how much protein is to much for layer or to little for everything else, or if layers can have 18% protein, would I not get better results feeding an 18% feed and add oyster shell than the 16% layer that almost everybody has? (I am assuming that virtually all layer food has 16% protein for a reason.) Most of the advice I find talk about protein and calcium only or they give a recipe to make my own but nothing on how to decide beyond protein and calcium, how to choose one feed over another.

Generally I trust that the nutritionists at the feed companies have it figured out. If all you have in your flock is chickens that are actively laying, then a chicken layer feed would be appropriate product for your flock. I have the books Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens (and Ducks), and both talk about how the nutritional needs of chickens and ducks vary and In different stages of their lives. If you have a more varied flock then you might need a different type of food. For instance if you have different types of poultry different ages of poultry young old male female you might need different feed. Also needs of broilers is different than layers.

 

[PirateGirl]

Here is a site with specifics if you really want to go there...

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...t-poultry/nutritional-requirements-of-poultry

 

[Bantamgirl715]

I will say that chickens are omnivores, and SHOULD have animal protein in their diet. Here in Canada it's not legal for me to buy chicken feed with any animal protein in it, so I buy lower % protein feeds (16% layer pellets) and add ground fish based dog food to it. The difference in my birds, from feather quality to egg production to general overall health, is notable.

 

[RoosterML]

I will say that chickens are omnivores, and SHOULD have animal protein in their diet. Here in Canada it's not legal for me to buy chicken feed with any animal protein in it, so I buy lower % protein feeds (16% layer pellets) and add ground fish based dog food to it. The difference in my birds, from feather quality to egg production to general overall health, is notable.

Mine get added animal protein also. It just depends on what I am eating sometimes it’s the left over turkey carcass, shrimp, hotdog,pork, and a steak bone. I think the preferred one to the chickens is the shrimp. I can’t say I have gone and purchased dog food for them.........yet!

 

[father0fnine]

Here is a site with specifics if you really want to go there...

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...t-poultry/nutritional-requirements-of-poultry

That was perfect! TYVM

 

[Kiki]

That was perfect! TYVM

Here is a good book too.
https://www.nap.edu/read/2114/chapter/1

 

[Suedan]

Depends on where you buy it.
Have you seen my Google sheet yet?

Hi! Can I see your Google Sheet?

 

[Kiki]

Hi! Can I see your Google Sheet?

Sure...can you see my "signature" just below this post?

There is link to the sheet there.
If not here it is:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...Sj3Bt5CUQfX1PlTEhg799sDT-qM/edit?usp=drivesdk

 

[Mosey2003]

Since All Flock is labeled for chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese, I'm assuming it also has more niacin than chicken feed. If I recall correctly from the last time I bought it, the Nutrena Country Roads All Flock actually does have animal protein as well, which I like. I'm going to start feeding it again. That's the main draw for me, while I'm going to feeding less protein than I have been, I still want some animal protein in there. Plus, it's cheaper than their NatureWise chick starter.

ETA: just looked up the tag on the Rural King website, no animal protein now. Boo.

 

[Kiki]

Since All Flock is labeled for chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese, I'm assuming it also has more niacin than chicken feed. If I recall correctly from the last time I bought it, the Nutrena Country Roads All Flock actually does have animal protein as well, which I like. I'm going to start feeding it again. That's the main draw for me, while I'm going to feeding less protein than I have been, I still want some animal protein in there. Plus, it's cheaper than their NatureWise chick starter.

ETA: just looked up the tag on the Rural King website, no animal protein now. Boo.

Have you seen Purina's new feed?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-purina-feed.1333776/