What Is The Best Feed For New Layers (16 Weeks)

[Adopted Chickenman]

I still can't decide on the proper food to feed my 17 week old pullets. The age old question is TSC Dumor or Layena? I know both are made by the Purina Co. I have read BYC comments on this subject (five pages) and I am still just as confused. I am almost tempted to try our local feed/lp gas (Andersens) store and purchase their feed. Ever since I had the three day old chicks, I have feed them Dumor stages one and two. Now that they are getting ready to start laying, I would like to get them the best feed I can possibly get. I mistakenly started reading Dumor vs Layena comments and now I do not know what to do. To bad you can't get a sampler size of 16% protein feed and let the girls decide. BTW, crumbles or pellets that is another question. My last bag of grower/finnisher (Dumor stage two) seemed to be milled very fine and the girls just pushed aside the small stuff to get to the larger pieces. I take direction well, so someone please tell me what to due. I only wish my girls could tell me. Thanks for any input.

 

[JFW]

I have fed Purina for years and have never had a problem. I'm sure there are other fine feeds out there, but I've always fed Purina (to all of my livestock). I find I have less waste with pellets when it comes to chickens... but that's just me. Good luck.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

is there a Southern States near you?? I use the Southern States Brand Layer Pellets, Purina has been around for years and I have never known anything bad about them. Basically use any laying pellet with a high protein and if it is not that high, use oyster shells as a suppliment. I use pellets also vs. crumbles. I have found that crumbles are a lot more wasteful when the chicken starts putting their beak in them...they just throw them around. pellets are better, if they knock them out, they will still eat it. crumbles tend to get mixed up with the dirt and gets tossed aside.

 

[SmittenChicken]

If you'd like to get them the best feed possible, you might look for feeds that include animal protein instead of just soy - not sure about Dumor, but I know Layena is soy-based. I know a lot of people do fine with those feeds (especially if their chickens free-range), but you'll also see some threads on here about vegetarian feeds and problems with slow growth, feather picking, egg-binding, etc.

 

[gryeyes]

I feed Nutrena products. I currently feed multiple ages of chickens, so I'm sticking with grower/finisher feed for everybody, and provide crushed oyster shell free choice. They layers will take the oyster shell as needed.

Here's a handy document provided by Nutrena: http://www.nutrenaworld.com/nutrena...b/@nutrena/@all/documents/image/na3023833.pdf Page 8 describes chicken anatomy, which I found interesting (that is, to be included in a pamphlet produced by a feed company).

 

[Lotsapaints]

I say try the local feed it should be fresher and then you are supporting the local farmers too. My birds prefer the local stuff and I don't have much waste with the mash type food I just don't overfill my feeders

 

[33yardbirds]

I used to get fresh ground feed 20 some years ago at the local feed store they since went up-scale and stopped all milling. Now I get my feed at TSC and I get Dumor. They offered more % wise than the Layena. But I have no quams with Layena. Just a personal preference.

 

[Adopted Chickenman]

Thanks for all the replies. Sorry to say, there is no Southern States outlets close to my residents. I email'd Purina yesterday and this is what transpired:

Question: I still can't decide on the proper food to feed my 17 week old pullets. The age old question is TSC Dumor or Layena? I know both are made by the Purina Co. I have read BYC comments on this subject (five pages) and I am still just as confused. I am almost tempted to try our local feed/lp gas (Andersens) store and purchase their feed. Ever since I had the three day old chicks, I have feed them Dumor stages one and two. Now that they are getting ready to start laying, I would like to get them the best feed I can possibly get. I mistakenly started reading Dumor vs Layena comments and now I do not know what to do. To bad you can't get a sampler size of 16% protein feed and let the girls decide. BTW, crumbles or pellets that is another question. My last bag of grower/finnisher (Dumor stage two) seemed to be milled very fine and the girls just pushed aside the small stuff to get to the larger pieces. I take direction well, so someone please tell me what to due. I only wish my girls could tell me. Thanks for any input.


Results:
Layena is going to be a more premium all natural product. I usually recommend the Layena for the best egg production. As for the crumble or pellet form, the pellets will provide less waste but if it is a smaller breed bird, then the crumble may be easier for them to eat.

Animals make better people,
We make Better Animals

Thanks and have a good day!

Any Comments?

 

[BackyardGuy]

You are just second guessing yourself. If you been using TSC Dumor and your chicks are doing great wiyh it just keep on using it

 

[chuckzoo]

I prefer to feed pellets but I actually think the chickens prefer crumbles!

I don't put too much in the feeder at a time - only what they can eat in a day and when they pulmerize the crumbles into a powder I mix it with water to make a mash - they love that! That way nothing goes to waste.